Starting from the settlement of the Samnites (around 500 BC) a whole series of bloody wars and battles took place in the area, in which armies of different origins, roaming the Sarno plains, raided the countryside in search of food supplies.

Within the territory of the comune, several villas dating back to the 1st century BC have been discovered, testifying to the constant development of the area, which by this period was surrounded by important towns such as Stabiae and Pompeii.

At the end of the first millennium (950 AD), after centuries of relative peace where the area remained mostly rural, the Lombards began to build military watchtowers to defend themselves from the threat posed by the Saracens, who had unsuccessfully tried to reach Amalfi from here.

The painting was initially gifted by the artist to Pope Sixtus IV and later given to the church of Madonna delle Grazie in Santa Maria la Carità as a favor to the Medici family, which was residing in the area at the time.

Furthermore, in 1957, in the area of Madonna delle Grazie archaeologists discovered a large necropolis of over 300 tombs containing imported pottery of Corinthian, Etruscan, Chalcidian and Attic origin.

Tourism has recently emerged as a significant driver of economic growth, fueled by the town's strategic geographical position within the coastal region of Campania.

With its proximity to renowned archaeological sites such as Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae, as well as the stunning natural landscapes of the Campanian coast and the nearby Vesuvius National Park, Santa Maria la Carità is attracting visitors from all around the world.

Among the many activities organized during the festival there is the "Sagra della Melanzana", dedicated to the celebration of the eggplant, a vegetable widely grown in the region and used in many local cuisine recipes.

During this event, visitors can enjoy a variety of eggplant dishes prepared by local chefs and participate in food competitions, musical performances and family activities.

It is a race featuring five donkeys, with each one symbolizing a distinct district of Santa Maria la Carità, identified by an associated animal: Farfalla (Butterfly - Via Pioppelle), Leone (Lion - Via Polveriera), Delfino (Dolphin - Via Visitazione), Aquila (Eagle - Via Scafati), and Ippocampo (Hippocampus - Via Petraro).

In addition to the donkey race, during the previous days, various other activities and games are held, such as tug-of-war, gastronomic competitions, and a historical medieval parade along the main streets of each district.

Furthermore, the municipality regularly organizes concerts, art exhibitions, theater performances and other cultural events, mainly held in Piazza Borrelli in front of the town hall.