Information
Altitude: 121 amsl
Inhabitants: 10.184 (updated to August 31, 2023).
Post code: 42021.
Patron Saint: Holy Virgin dell'Assunta (August 15).
Weekly market day: Saturday.
Events and initiatives: Annual fair (third Sunday of September).
Hamlets: Barco, Corniano, Ghiardo, Piazzola.
Contacts
0039 0522 253211 - Town Hall
urp@comune.bibbiano.re.it
Town Hall of Bibbiano
How to get there
Bibbiano
By car
From Reggio Emilia: secondary road in the direction of Montecchio turning off at Cavriago in the direction of Bibbiano.
By train
From the Reggio Emilia Railway Station: TPER train Reggio Emilia-Ciano d'Enza.
Location
It is located in the foothills, in the valley of the Enza river, in a rich and productive territory.
The fertility of the land and the enterprise of the local peasants led to the development of agricultural activities, which for centuries has been the main source of sustenance for the local inhabitants.
The famous Parmigiano Reggiano has been produced in this Matildic Land for over seven centuries, to the extent that the town has been denominated "the Cradle of Parmigiano-Reggiano”.
Historical notes
The first settlements founded by the Etruscans date back to between the 5th and 6th centuries BC. Three hundred years later Roman colonisation began with the construction of the first system of connecting roads.
During the XI century Bibbiano became part of the lands administered by Matilda, Countess of Canossa.
After her death in 1115 the struggles for succession continued for more than 300 years.
In the XV century, the area of Bibbiano suffered a succession of raids by both French and Spanish troops.
The subsequent period was characterised by rural depopulation (flight from the land) and the resulting famines. It has been a Local Council under the Italian Republic since 1861.
Reasons to visit
A tribute to this fame is the Monument to Parmigiano Reggiano, a sculpture by Michelangelo Galliani representing a 3-metre high wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano made with 32 tonnes of Carrara marble standing in the centre of the Barco roundabout, an important junction for Cavriago and Reggio Emilia, on Provincial road no. 28.
Thanks to this gastronomic excellence, the town deserves a visit to one of the 6 cheese factories present in the Municipality or to the Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori Colline di Scandiano e Canossa (Wines and Flavours Route of the Scandiano and Canossa Hills), an itinerary dedicated to those interested in cultural traditions as well as historical-cultural ones: wineries, farms, vinegar cellars, cheese factories and dairies, wine shops, restaurants and agritourism farms/restaurants and shops selling local food products, all in the discovery of a past, genuine world, out of the ordinary.
Not to be missed
Other places deserving a visit are the Town Hall, from the end of the XIX century with Art Nouveau decorative elements, the S. Maria Assunta Parish church, which is one of the oldest in the diocese (X century, then renovated) and various contemporary art monuments, starting from the Stele del Bianello, a work by Graziano Pompili situated in the centre of the square of Bianello (one of the largest steles in terracotta, six metres high) and "Dialogo" (Dialogue) by Vasco Montecchi, a sculptural group formed of three agile towering feminine figures.
Events
Bibbiano Produce - Third Sunday of September.
Exhibition-market of the best Parmigiano Reggiano, of Matildic DOP (Protected Denomination of Origin), and IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) food products, and craft, trade and industry products.
In the vicinity
In the surrounding area, to the south, there is the Pieve di Bibbiano (Parish Church of Bibbiano), mentioned as far back as before 1000 A.D. in a diploma of Otto II.
A majestic terracotta statue of the Madonna dating from the 1400s can be seen inside.
Useful links
Churhes
Accomodation
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