As was the case of the rural areas of Southern Italy, the town experienced a mass immigration (Italian diaspora) to North and South America between 1861 and 1914.

Since then there has been a steady decline due to residents having sought employment in the Italian cities (mostly Rome), and also throughout Europe.

The first written mention of the town dates back to Middle Ages, in the first half of the 11th century.

Also, the name Schavis and Sclavi appeared in the Libro delle decime (tithe book) of 1309 and of 1328.

[6] It is commonly known that there was a colony of Slavs that became a fief of Roberto da Sclavo, from which the name of the town was probably derived.