Selvacava is a small village in central Italy, in the municipality of Ausonia, which is in the province of Frosinone, in the Lazio region. It lies about halfway between Rome and Naples, and is where my father was born. It has a population of 335.
Selvacava, with Monte Fammera in the background
I love this charming village. It is the type of place where you can go to find tranquility and get lost in your thoughts.
One of the many alleyways in Selvacava
Not much has changed since the first time I went there when I was a child. There have been a few houses constructed, and there are now actually street lights and the streets are no longer dirt roads, but it still has that rustic charm with its fruit orchards, vineyards, and olive groves. Wine, cheese, and olive oil are still made by its residents. There is only one small grocery store within the village where you can get the bare necessities such as milk and bread, but there are larger stores in the surrounding towns and villages where you can get more.
Ancient fountain in Selvacava
Selvacava is surrounded by marble quarries which not only drive the economy of the surrounding areas but also make up somewhat of an open air museum where one can find many fossils of ancient sea creatures embedded in the stone from when this area was under water.
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This is the type of place where you need to have a car because even though there is bus service, it does not run frequently, and the nearest train station is in Formia.
The ever watchful Monte Fammera, where local residents hid during WWII
Thank you for this beautiful write up! We are planning to visit Selvacava next year. It’s written on an old photo of my family, so I believe they are from there. The last name is Paliotta, in case anyone sees this and has a connection. I was trying to find a way to visit without renting a car, but sounds like we need to. Any suggestions on where to rent, so that we’re not having to drive in Naples? Like maybe a bus to get out of Naples and closer to Selvacava, then switch to a car?
Thank you!
Hello Corinne, I’m glad you found my website! Selvacava is an amazing little town but unfortunately not that easy to get to without a car. You can take a train or bus from Naples to Formia or Cassino and then rent a car if you don’t want to drive within Naples. There is also a bus that goes to Ausonia from Formia which I believe you can then transfer to another bus to Selvacava but it does not run very often. You can look up information at https://laciociaraitaliana.com/travel-and-tourism/train-tickets-and-rail-passes-in-europe/ and https://laciociaraitaliana.com/travel-and-tourism/auto-rentals-3/. Let me know how it goes!
Hi there! We’ve decided to go ahead and rent a car from Salerno. Thank you for the tips! We are hoping to scope out cemeteries when we’re there. Is there one right in Selvacava and would it be at the church? We’ve looked on our own and haven’t had any luck. Thank you!
Hi, yes, there is a cemetery in Selvacava, the “Cimitero di Ausonia” which is on the way up the hill to Selvacava. If you get off the Autostrado at Cassino, head south on SR630. You’ll see a sign for Ausonia on the right. Be careful because it’s easy to miss, but this is the way I always go because it cuts through the town of Ausonia which is actually a little easier to deal with since some of the other roads can be quite steep. You keep going straight on the road you’re on in Ausonia and eventually you’ll see a sign for Selvacava and then just follow the signs. I can give you more detailed directions if you’d like or you can follow Google maps.
Thank you so much for the information on the cemetary. I’ve copied and pasted your tips to my travel plans. We will be there next month and are so excited! We just recently found out that one of my Dad’s (second?) cousins still lives there. I believe she is in her 90’s and her name is Alessandra Paliotta, known as Sandina. Just thought I’d put it out there in case there is a connection with anyone reading this.
Hi, as i mentioned above I am a Moschetta descendent from my Nonna’s side, Teresa Moschetta from Selvacava. We live in London, England. If anyone knew the family/is family please get in contact it would be amazing to speak.
Hi Roberto, as I mentioned earlier, I knew a Moschetta in the Bronx. I don’t remember his first name though but I know that a lot of the people who originally came from Selvacava and the province of Frosinone in general first came to the area surrounding Arthur Avenue which became known as the Little Italy of the Bronx. I don’t know if there are any left there but a lot of them eventually moved upstate to Westchester County and further north, and east to Connecticut.
My. Grandfather was Luciano moschetta
My mother was Angela Moschetta she had one sister Three brothers
Virginia Moschetta Trow i knew of the family Moschettas and they lived in montreal, the family we knew had 3 kids a son named Mario and the daughters were Sandra and I do not remember the other one. But one daughter lives in Italy
Interesting. We do not know those Moschettas in Toronto. We know that Rimini Moschetta married Antonia Ferrara (grandparents), emigrated sometime in early 1900s, and then the family lived in Bronx, NY.–YES! Did your father know Rimini? That is my grandfather and I’m trying to find out more–especially if he was born in Selvacava or just lived there until he married my grandmother. They had 3 sons–Antonio, Vincent, and Alfredo. Vincent (my father) went back occasionally and dedicated some land for a park in Selvacava.
No we do not know of a Rimini Moschetta married Antonia Ferrara
My maiden name is Marricco, Antonio and ladizia Marricco were my grandparents, they had 3 sons and 2 daughters. Matteo, Angelo and Francesco ( my dad) and Assunta and Maria.
Hi Virginia
My Nonna is a Moschetta from Selvacava, her name is Teresa. I am her Grandson, and we live in London. I read that you are a Moschetta too, I would love to speak to you.
Rimini moschetta was my father’s uncle my grandfather’s brother live in the Bronx he was the one that’ called my father Michele moschetta to come to US in 1956. My name is Robert moschetta any other info I have a little history I came here here at the age of 9
My father’s family was from Selvacava too. I lived there for a little while. Wonderful little village.
Yes, I can’t wait to finally be able to go back!
what was your fathers family name
I just came across this article as I googled Selvacava. I was born there and came to NY when I was 10. What Is your last name? Or your father’s name? Maybe my mother may remember the name.
Hi Matt, my Dad’s name is Michele Piccolino. He passed away last year. Do you by any chance have 2 sisters?
Does anyone know the Moschettas?–some of the family still live there. I am a descendant in the US.
Hi, I remember the name. My father knew the Moschettas in the Bronx. I believe everyone that came from Selvacava to the US settled in the same neighborhoods in the Bronx, first around Arthur Avenue.