Buonvicino between history, nature and local festivals

The historic centre of Buonvicino lies on a rocky outcrop. Narrow lanes and arches open up views across the valleys as far as the Tyrrhenian Sea, while the Fiume Corvino shapes the valley landscape.

Art and rural tradition in the town centre

The Museo Arti Gusto Buonvicino displays 350 tools and implements from the local rural tradition and comprises five sections: archaeology, folk art, sacred art, contemporary art and environmental heritage. The museum is housed in a recently restored municipal palazzo in the heart of the historic centre. The restored municipal palazzo anchors the collection in the heart of the historic centre.

Churches, fortifications and viewpoints

Buonvicino’s Chiesa Madre is dedicated to Saint Ciriaco Abate. The Festa Patronale is held in his honour every year from 17 September to 20 September. The Festa Patronale includes a procession from the town centre to the church of the Grotta di San Ciriaco near the Fiume Corvino. The procession gives the festival a geographical route between the town centre, the grotto and the river. A viewpoint in Buonvicino is also home to a monumental statue of Saint Ciriaco.

Archaeological evidence of Byzantine and Lombard settlements has come to light at Sasso dei Greci. Sasso dei Greci is a medieval fortified site at an altitude of 967 metres above sea level near the historic centre of Buonvicino. Also located in the historic centre is Palazzo De Paola, which belonged to the Barons of Malvito.

Hiking between river, gorge and mountain peak

A hike can follow the Fiume Corvino to the Grotta di San Ciriaco and continue to the village of Serapodolo. Those planning the hike can use the sequence of the Fiume Corvino, Grotta di San Ciriaco and Serapodolo as a guide. The dello Stretto gorge passes through an area classified as an SIC Natura 2000 site; orchid fields can be found there from April to June. The gorge takes on a distinct seasonal character during the period from April to June.

The Madonna della Neve sanctuary stands on the summit of Monte della Neve. From there, there are views of the Gulf of Policastro and the green valleys of the Apennine range. The Madonna della Neve festival takes place every year, usually between 4 and 5 August.

Recipes and culinary events

The seasonal culinary event Rapsodia d’Autunno brings local restaurants together with recipes by Ippolito Cavalcanti. Many of these recipes still form part of the culinary heritage of the main annual festivals in Buonvicino today. In addition, Buonvicino offers old recipes from Ippolito Cavalcanti’s cookbook in a guided reinterpretation.

More places for planning your trip

If you would like to discover other places besides Buonvicino, you can find Roggiano Gravina, Pietrapaola, Fiumefreddo Bruzio, Campora San Giovanni, Altavilla, San Demetrio Corone, Bonifati and Rende here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cosenza.