Bivongi: Monastery, Wine and Medieval Centre

Bivongi lies on the western slope of Monte Consolino; the wooded mountain slopes largely protect the town. The landscape includes the Stilaro River, the Marmarico Waterfalls and the thermal waters of the former facility. Its historical and scenic themes range from the medieval centre, religious buildings and museums to wine, water and thermal waters. This creates a destination that combines cultural interests with experiences in nature and regional cuisine.

Between Medieval Lanes and Noble Houses

The historic centre of Bivongi is a medieval district with porphyry paving, lanes, steps and different elevations. The various levels remain just as noticeable during a walk as the characteristic paving. The old marketplace is surrounded by historic noble houses and forms another specific point of reference within the town centre.

Monasteries, Churches and Museums

The Orthodox Monastery of San Giovanni Therestis in Bivongi was built in the 11th century and is now cared for by a Romanian Orthodox monastic community. The Basilica di San Giovanni Therestis combines Byzantine and Norman architectural elements. The Santuario di Maria SS Mamma Nostra has a Baroque façade and dates back to the 13th century.

The town also has two museums: the MacAM – Museo di Arte Contemporanea and the Museo della Civiltà Contadina “A lumera”. Both institutions broaden the cultural dimension of a stay beyond churches and historic squares.

For those interested in culture, Bivongi thus brings together several specific points of reference: the medieval district with its porphyry paving, the old marketplace, the monastery, basilica, sanctuary and the two museums. The focus is simultaneously on the stepped routes with their stairs and different elevations, as well as the town’s historic noble houses and religious architecture.

Water, Thermal Waters and Trekking

The Marmarico Waterfalls form a 120-metre-high drop of the Stilaro River in the heart of the mountain. The pools formed by the Marmarico rapids become crystal-clear, cold bathing spots in summer. The Sentiero del brigante is a trekking destination for more experienced hikers; the mountain landscape also contains the Marmarico waterfalls and bathing spots. Water and trekking in different forms are therefore central to a stay in the mountain landscape. Those wishing to organise the mountain landscape by activity can choose between the Sentiero del brigante for more experienced hikers and the crystal-clear, cold Marmarico bathing spots available in summer.

The former thermal facility has its own history of past and present use. It served as a bathing facility until the 1950s and has now been converted into an equipped picnic area by the thermal waters. Thus, alongside the waterfall and bathing spots, there is also a place with a former thermal function and present-day picnic use. The former bathing tradition and today’s picnic use mark two different periods in the history of the same facility.

Wine and Recurring Dates

Murace Vini offers a bookable cellar wine tasting in Bivongi. The winery’s wines are sampled, including Bivongi DOC and Calabria IGT; Taralli and breadsticks are served alongside them. The town’s connection with wine is therefore not abstract, but takes on a specific culinary form.

Two dates structure the year: Bivongi’s DOC wine festival takes place every year on 13 August, while Bivongi’s patronal festival takes place every year on the second Sunday in September. The festival dates are also spread across two periods of the year: August for the DOC wine festival and September for the patronal festival.

More Destinations

Ardore Marina, Condofuri Marina, Stilo, Santo Stefano In Aspromonte, Martone, Locri, Lazzaro, Marina Di Gioiosa Ionica

To the overview of destinations: Reggio Calabria.