Holiday apartment in Buonvicino: discover culture, nature and festivals

Buonvicino between the historic centre and the valley landscape

Buonvicino reveals its character particularly clearly where history, art and landscape meet. The historic centre lies on a rocky promontory; narrow alleys and arches offer views across the valleys as far as the Tyrrhenian Sea. In the heart of the historic centre is the Museo Arti Gusto Buonvicino, housed in a recently restored municipal palazzo. It displays 350 tools and implements from the local farming tradition and comprises five thematic areas: archaeology, folk art, sacred art, contemporary art and environmental heritage. Also located in the historic centre is Palazzo De Paola, which belonged to the Barons of Malvito.

Culture, faith and festivals throughout the year

Local history also includes religious sites and living traditions. The Chiesa Madre of Buonvicino is dedicated to Saint Ciriaco Abate. A viewpoint in Buonvicino is home to a monumental statue of this saint. The Festa Patronale in honour of San Ciriaco Abate is held annually between 17 and 20 September; it includes a procession from the town centre to the Church of the Grotta di San Ciriaco near the Fiume Corvino. Another festive occasion is the Madonna della Neve festival, which usually takes place each year between 4 and 5 August. The associated Madonna della Neve sanctuary stands on the summit of Monte della Neve and offers views of the Gulf of Policastro as well as the green valleys of the Apennine range.

Hiking along the Fiume Corvino and orchids in spring

The Fiume Corvino shapes the valley landscape of Buonvicino and provides a natural route for a possible hike. A hike can follow the river to the Grotta di San Ciriaco and continue to the village of Serapodolo. The dello Stretto gorge offers another aspect of the landscape: it runs through an area classified as a SIC-Natura 2000 site. Orchid fields can be found there from April to June. Sasso dei Greci additionally points to the high-altitude setting and the area's long settlement history. The medieval fortified complex lies at an altitude of 967 metres above sea level near the historic centre; archaeological evidence of Byzantine and Lombard settlements has been uncovered at Sasso dei Greci.

Regional cuisine as part of the travel experience

Buonvicino also has its own culinary story to tell. Rapsodia d’Autunno is a seasonal culinary event at which local restaurants prepare recipes by Ippolito Cavalcanti. Many of these recipes are still part of the culinary heritage of Buonvicino’s most important annual festivals today. In addition, old recipes from Ippolito Cavalcanti’s cookbook are offered in a guided reinterpretation.

More destinations for your planning

You can discover additional destinations to complement your plans: Torremezzo Di Falconara, Lungro, Marina Di Mandatoriccio, Trebisacce, Mirto, Marina Schiavonea, Crosia and Celico.

For the overarching travel overview: Cosenza.