Bivongi – Pazzano

In this stage connecting Bivongi with Pazzano, hikers will be able to admire the fascinating Shrine of Monte Stella: a natural cave with the statue of the Madonna della Stella or “della Scala” over an 18th century altar.

Cave of Monte Stella

Area

Serre Orientali

Difficulty

E – Gravel roads for the first half of the trail, then a paved road. Accessible in MTB, on horse or donkey

Distance

11 km

Travel time

3 – 4 hrs

Start

Bivongi

Finish

Pazzano (Monte Stella, 680m)

Difference in altitude

↑ 570m ↓180m

Accessible

All year round

Springs and fountainheads with waypoint

No

River/fiumare crossing (waypoint)

No

Route

The trail starts on the track towards “Viale Umberto” from “Piazza del Popolo”, Bivongi. The Melodare stream (dry during summer time) runs among olive groves, small vegetable gardens, and little forests of holly oaks and chestnuts. In the past, it used to be channelled in order to reach the various mills of the valley: there were up to 22 mills alone in the area of Bivongi, also called for this very reason “Valley of the Mills”. The gravel road crosses the SP9 road and, with a left turn, hikers will reach the crossroad for Monte Stella. From the square of Eremo di Monte Stella, down a set of stairs, is the entrance of the beautiful cave hosting the statue of the Madonna della Stella or della Scala over a 18th century altar. The Byzantine past of the hermitage is attested by a small 10th century fresco of Santa Maria Egiziaca.

Brief historical overview

​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”).

Alleys of Bivongi

Pazzano was renowned for its mineral resources since the times of Magna Graecia. Some of the old mines’ entrances are still visible in the area. The main mineral extracted here was limonite, which was then sent to the ironworks of Ferdinandea and Assi for manufacturing. On the first Sunday of August, local people celebrate the festivity of the “Santo Salvatore”, connected to the Byzantine past of the valley. Among the most typical dishes of Pazzano (on top of the traditional peasant cuisine of cured meat, cheese and olives) are pasta with chickpeas (prepared during the festival of San Giuseppe) and home made pasta.

Trail Bivongi-Montestella

Map and elevation profile

Further information

Guides of reference for the stage: Giorgio Pascolo +39 327 0007533 and Emanuele Valenti +39 333 8205164

[Bivongi]

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

[Pazzano]

Comune Pazzano – tel. +39 0964 731090 – web: www.comune.pazzano.rc.it – mail: compaz@libero.it
Pro Loco Pazzano – tel. +39 0964 731090 – web: www.it-it.facebook.com/prolocopazzano
Santuario di Monte Stella – tel. +39 347 3690956

Where to eat

Extra: not verified

[Pazzano]

Bar Pizzeria Glams – tel. +39 350 5717653
Santuario Monte Stella +39 347 3690956, +39 347 8935107, +39 328 3729377

[Stilo]

Restaurant – Pizza Smile – tel. +39 327 9874126
Restaurant – Il Castello – tel. +39 339 4643145 – mail: alfarano.mario@libero.it
Restaurant – L’istrione – tel. +39 328 7188434 – mail: listrionestilo@libero.it
Restaurant – La Quercia – tel. +39 366 2255906 – mail: ristorantelaquercia@live.it
Restaurant – Antichi Sapori – tel. +39 389 2878629

Last update: 2021-12-31