Discover Bivongi: Monastery, Old Town and Mountain Scenery

For planning your trip, Bivongi offers several points of interest: its medieval centre with religious buildings, wine and recurring festivals. Nature is another defining theme. The Marmarico Waterfalls, the landscape around Monte Consolino and seasonal swimming spots each add their own character. The places and dates below will help you explore these themes and find a hotel that suits your travel interests.

Bivongi at Monte Consolino and the historic centre

Bivongi lies on the western slope of Monte Consolino, with wooded mountain slopes largely sheltering the town. In the medieval historic centre, porphyry paving, lanes, steps and varying elevations shape the townscape. The old market square offers a different point of interest: it is surrounded by historic noble houses. In the town centre, you can see both the neighbourhood’s compact layout and a square whose character is defined by the buildings around it. If you appreciate historic townscapes, the contrast between the lanes and the buildings around the square can serve as a guiding theme.

Monastery, churches and museums

The Orthodox monastery of San Giovanni Therestis 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 different features: its façade is Baroque, and its origins date back to the 13th century. These sites bring together distinct historical points of interest: the monastery’s present-day monastic community, the basilica’s combination of two architectural traditions and the Santuario’s long history. Bivongi is also home to the MacAM – Museo di Arte Contemporanea and the Museo della Civiltà Contadina “A lumera”.

Waterfalls, swimming spots and trekking

The Marmarico Waterfalls form a 120-metre-high cascade on the Stilaro River in the heart of the mountains. Around the waterfalls, rapids in the Marmarico create pools used as crystal-clear, cold swimming spots in summer. For those interested in swimming, summer access and cold water are practical details to consider when planning. By contrast, the Sentiero del brigante is a trekking destination for more experienced hikers. You can choose between a specifically seasonal swimming option and a trekking route for experienced hikers. The former thermal complex served as a bathing facility until the 1950s and has now been converted into an equipped picnic area by the thermal waters.

Wine and recurring festivals

Murace Vini offers bookable cellar wine tastings in Bivongi. The tasting features wines from the winery, including Bivongi DOC and Calabria IGT, accompanied by taralli and breadsticks. If you would like to include a tasting in your travel plans, check the booking options. Two annual events provide set dates in the calendar: the Bivongi DOC Wine Festival takes place on 13 August, and the patron saint festival is held on the second Sunday in September. This means a wine event in August and the patron saint festival in September. Check the dates of each event in advance if you would like to plan your trip around one of the festivals.

Discover more destinations: Pentidattilo, Camini, Delianuova, Lazzaro, Bova Marina, Palizzi, Stignano, Motta San Giovanni

For the broader travel overview: Reggio Calabria.