Discover Bibbiena: Photography, History and Tradition

Bibbiena offers several reasons to visit: photography and events, historic buildings, and local festivals. If you are looking for a hotel in Bibbiena, the focus of your stay can help you choose your destination. Explore the historic centre through lanes that evoke the town’s past. Bibbiena is also a good base for visits to the Casentino Forests.

Photography and events

CIFA displays photographs by prominent photographers from the FIAF archive. It is located in the town’s former Casa Mandamentale, a 19th-century building converted for new uses. In addition to exhibitions by prominent photographers, CIFA has exhibition spaces for temporary events of international significance.

The Festival della Fotografia takes place every year between June and September. Its programme includes exhibitions, events, talks, workshops and portfolio reviews. The festival uses CIFA in Bibbiena, among other venues; additional exhibition venues are spread across the Casentino. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific event dates within this period.

Historic buildings and their eras

The Teatro Dovizi is in the historic centre on Via Rosa Scoti, between two 16th-century buildings. It was built in 1842 to a design by Niccolò Matas. Following a major redesign of its interior, the theatre reopened on 27 September 1997. Its construction and reopening mark distinct milestones in its history.

Sacred architecture is also represented: the Oratorio di San Francesco is considered a notable example of Tuscan Rococo architecture. The Chiesa dei Santi Ippolito e Donato was built in the early 12th century and houses a 13th-century wooden sculpture of the Madonna and Child. These buildings and works of art thus represent different eras and styles.

The Palazzo Dovizi dates from the 16th century and is associated with Cardinal Bernardo da Bibbiena. Along with the lanes of the historic centre, it offers another way to explore the town’s past: the lanes invite exploration and evoke Bibbiena’s illustrious history.

Festivals and local cuisine

The Sagra del Raviolo takes place every year in Partina, a hamlet of Bibbiena. At the festival, you can enjoy ravioli made according to a traditional recipe, as well as other typical dishes and local products. Culinary traditions and produce from the area take centre stage.

Bibbiena also hosts the Storico Carnevale every year. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, and costumed characters bring the town to life. The two festivals offer different experiences: Partina’s event celebrates traditional food and local products, while history and costumed characters shape the Carnevale.

Choose the focus of your stay

For photography, the festival returns every year from June to September; the buildings and works of art offer other historical themes to explore. The Sagra del Raviolo and Storico Carnevale, in turn, represent different festival traditions. If your main aim is to visit the Casentino Forests, Bibbiena is a good base.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Farneta, Partina, Poggiolo, Banzena, Soci, Loro Ciuffenna, Sodo, Manzi.

For the broader travel overview: Arezzo.