Rock Churches and Museums
A unique cultural heritage in the world
Matera houses over 150 rock churches dug into the tuff, extraordinary testimonies of faith and art that span a period of over a thousand years. These sacred places, together with the city museums, offer a fascinating journey into the history, art and spirituality of the city of the Sassi.
Rock churches not to be missed
Rock church of San Pietro Barisano
The largest rock church in Matera, located in the heart of Sasso Barisano a few steps from the structure.
- Three naves dug into the rock with stratifications of frescoes from the 13th to the 17th century
- Suggestive underground passages that lead to caves and hypogea
- System of cisterns and channels for water collection
- Lower crypt used for the natural mummification of the deceased
- Bell tower visible from the outside, symbol of the neighborhood
Rock church of Santa Maria de Idris
Chiseled into the cliff overlooking Sasso Caveoso, it is one of the most photographed symbols of Matera.
- Spectacular panoramic position on Sasso Caveoso and Gravina
- Well-preserved Byzantine frescoes from the 14th-17th centuries
- Connection with the crypt of San Giovanni in Monterrone
- Unique view of the city that embraces both Sassi districts
Rock church of Santa Lucia alle Malve
First female Benedictine monastic community of the Latin order established in Matera.
- Magnificent 8th-13th century frescoes from the Byzantine school
- Three apses with depictions of the Madonna and Child, Saint Lucia and Saints
- Testimony of the female Benedictine presence in Matera
- Rock architecture with original decorative elements
Rock church of Sant'Antonio Abate (Madonna della Croce)
Located along the main tourist route, often included in guided tours.
- Votive frescoes documenting popular devotion
- Perfect example of overlap between rock church and built church
- Crypt carved into the rock accessible from inside the upper church
- Evidence of the architectural stratification of the Sassi
Crypt of Original Sin
(“Sistine Chapel” of the rock painting – reservation required)
Defined as the "Sistine Chapel of rock painting" for the extraordinary beauty of the frescoes.
- Cycle of frescoes from the 9th century, among the oldest and best preserved in southern Italy
- Scenes from the Old and New Testament of rare artistic beauty
- Vivid colors and artistic composition of the highest level
- Mandatory guided tour with reservation (limited number of visitors)
- Organized transfer available on request
Unmissable museums
MUSMA – Museum of Contemporary Sculpture
The only "cave" museum in the world dedicated to contemporary sculpture.
- Palazzo Pomarici (16th century) with caves and hypogea dug into the tuff
- Permanent collection of sculptures from the 1900s to today
- Fascinating dialogue between contemporary art and rock architecture
- Temporary exhibitions of international artists
- Path through suggestive underground environments
Noah House
A multimedia immersion in the history of Matera, perfect for starting your visit to the city.
- Sixteenth-century building restored by the FAI (Italian Environment Fund)
- Video projection “I Sassi Invisibili” which tells 9,000 years of history
- Clear and engaging explanation of urban evolution
- Multimedia and technology at the service of historical narration
- Ideal starting point to understand the Sassi
Laboratory Museum of Rural Civilization
A dive into the daily life of the Sassi before the displacement.
- Faithful reconstruction of domestic and working environments
- Agricultural tools, kitchen utensils and everyday objects
- Photographic evidence of peasant life
- Explanation of the economic system based on agriculture and livestock
Long Diver
The largest underground water cistern in Matera, discovered in 1991.
- Majestic cavity 15 meters deep dug into the tuff
- Capacity of 5 million liters of water
- Ingenious rainwater collection and conservation system
- Suggestive atmosphere with plays of light and reflections on the water
- Access from the central Piazza Vittorio Veneto
National Archaeological Museum “Domenico Ridola”
The oldest museum in Basilicata, to discover the prehistory of the area.
- Archaeological finds from prehistory to the classical age
- Important collection of Bronze Age ceramics
- Testimonies of the civilizations that inhabited the Lucanian territory
- Section dedicated to prehistoric and protohistoric Matera
TAM – Tower Art Museum
A private contemporary art museum, production center with temporary exhibitions of national and international artists, performers, designers and musicians
Murgia Materana Park and panoramic rock churches
On the opposite side of the Gravina extends the Natural Historical Archaeological Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Materano, a protected area that houses over 150 rock churches immersed in the wild nature of the Murgia.
Highlights:
Belvedere Murgia Timone – Iconic front view of the Sassi (the postcard of Matera)
- Rock church of Santa Maria della Stella
- Rock church of San Falcione
- Trekking routes among canyons, prehistoric caves and Mediterranean vegetation
- Possibility of guided excursions with organized transfer