Serra San Bruno – Bivongi

This stage moves from the mountainous landscape (at times almost mystical) of the forests surrounding Serra San Bruno, to a maquis shrubland with breathtaking panoramic views onto the valley of the Stilaro, where Mount Consolino towers over the scene surrounded by three villages (Bivongi – Pazzano – Stilo, the latter is included among the “Borghi più belli d’Italia”). Before the final stop of Bivongi, hikers will be able to visit the monastery of San Giovanni Theristis dating back to the XI century and featuring interesting Byzantine and Norman architectonic details: an oasis of prayer and tranquillity, where a small community of Romanian orthodox monks still lives to this day.

Abetina Bosco di Serra San Bruno

Area

Serre

Difficulty

E – Also accessible via MTB

Distance

30,8 km

Travel time

8 – 11 hrs

Start

Serra San Bruno

Finish

Bivongi

Difference in altitude

↑ 739m ↓1281m

Accessible

From April to November

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

Fontana S. Brunello
Fontana Casermetta “Calabria Verde” bosco di Bivongi

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

The stage is particularly interesting from a naturalistic perspective: it moves from the mountainous landscape (at times almost “mystical”) of the forests surrounding Serra San Bruno, to a maquis shrubland with breathtaking panoramic views onto the valley of the Stilaro, where Mount Consolino towers over the scene surrounded by three villages (Bivongi – Pazzano – Stilo). The trail starts in the municipal square of Serra San Bruno, passes Via San Brunone di Colonia, then takes the crossroad to the quarter of Pezzente. The route will take hikers right at the heart of the Parco delle Serre, in the protected area of “Bosco di Stilo” (Stilo forest). Along the road they will be able to admire majestic beech and fir trees and outcropping of granite and metamorphic rock.
In the area of “Tre Ponticelli” (three little bridges), hikers will also be able to see a calcareous mountain side, originated from seawater’s evaporation. The scenery changes from a typical mountainous vegetation to the maquis shrubland, with a predominance of holly oaks, chestnuts and brooms. The forest opens up to spectacular panoramic views, where fiumare with wide river beds (filled with water during winter time and dry during summer) run through the valleys towards the sea. Before the final stop of Bivongi, hikers will be able to visit the monastery of San Giovanni Theristis dating back to the XI century and featuring interesting Byzantine and Norman architectonic details: an oasis of prayer and tranquillity, where a small community of Romanian orthodox monks still lives to this day. The trail continues to Bivongi. Upon reaching the fiumara Stilaro, on the left side, it will be possible to admire the remains of the monastery of S.S. Apostoli: an ex-religious complex of Basilian origins that in 1096 became property of the Chartreuse of Santo Stefano del Bosco. At the Stilaro, crossing the “Vina” bridge, hikers will see on their right hand side the little village of Bivongi, at the slopes of Monte Consolino.

Brief historical overview

Serra San Bruno exists thanks to Bruno di Colonia, monk and founder of the Order of Carthusians, that dedicated his life to the search for God and the construction of the Chartreuse of Santo Stefano. The village is structured around the city centre, also known as “Terravecchia”, and the newest city quarter of “Spinetto”. The latter was built following the 1783 earthquake that demolished most of the village and some of the monastery’s buildings, among which was also the Carthusian church of the convent. Only the 16th century granite facade stands today, memory of the majestic size of the original monastery. The village was also reconstructed thanks to the many artisans who managed to take advantage of the natural resources available in the area (such as wood, iron and granite) and create fine artworks for the decoration of the churches and town. The churches of Serra, in fact, still preserve numerous records of the glorious artistic past of this beautiful village.

I boari di Ferdinandea

​The city centre of Bivongi underwent a vertical architectural development throughout the centuries, so much so that houses have up to five floors, often made up of a single room, linked together via external sets of stairways. All crammed together, the houses are separated by characteristic narrow alleys called “viniadi”. The village, however, isn’t short of imposing palaces, like the building belonging to ex land owners (even though, being part of the feud of the Chartreuse of Serra San Bruno, there was no “aristocracy” here per se). The Abbot of Serra San Bruno would come to Bivongi once a year to collect the taxes and take care of the most pressing issues. The people of Bivongi would organise a great market for the occasion. The same tradition is kept alive every summer with the festival “Mercato della Badia”, during which artisanal shops are opened and all ancient crafts are celebrated (such as silkworm weaving and broom manufacturing). It is also a chance to taste some of the most typical local dishes (like pasta with goat meat and zeppole) accompanied by exquisite DOC wines from the renowned vineyards of Bivongi. The people of Bivongi are worshippers of the Virgin Mary and they celebrate on the second Sunday of September the festivity called “Our Mother” (“Mamma Nostra”).

Monastero San Giovanni Theristìs

Map and elevation profile

Further information

[Bivongi]

Comune Bivongi – tel. +39 0964 731185 – web: www.comunebivongi.it
Altre Informazioni Trekking Stilaro – tel. +39 333 8205164 – web: www.trekkingstilaro.org – mail: escursioni@trekkingstilaro.org
Pro Loco Bivongi – tel. +39 335 6223422 – web: www.prolocobivongi.com – mail: info@prolocobivongi.com

Where to eat

Extra: not verified

[Bivongi]

Restaurant – Trattoria Paninoteca Valenti Antonio – tel. +39 0964 731154
Restaurant – Pizzeria La Pietra – tel. +39 347 5187708
Restaurant – Millevoglie Bar – tel. +39 0964 731790

Last update: 2021-12-31