Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera, Archaeological park with rock churches in Matera, Italy
Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera is a protected area containing over 150 religious structures carved into volcanic tuff, including hermitages, chapels, and underground chambers spread across the limestone plateau. The site features multiple hiking trails connecting different rock churches, with San Pietro Barisano, Santa Maria de Idris, and Santa Lucia delle Malve among the main accessible locations.
Byzantine monks established the first churches inside natural caverns, converting earlier pagan worship sites into religious spaces during the medieval period. The network of these structures gradually became a significant religious center across the centuries.
The rock churches reflect how medieval communities used these spaces for prayer and burial, embedding religious practice into the daily rhythm of the plateau. The underground chambers reveal the central role faith played in organizing society at that time.
The park is accessible from multiple entry points, and well-marked trails allow visitors to explore the different rock churches at their own pace. Comfortable shoes and plenty of water are recommended, as the terrain is uneven and the sun exposure can be intense on the plateau.
Medieval travelers described Matera's layout as resembling a star-filled sky, with structures merging into the landscape without following any rational plan. This organic arrangement developed through centuries of natural expansion rather than deliberate urban design.
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