Matera: Lombard Cemetery & Cave Dwellings Tour

Join us for a tour of three iconic landmarks of Matera in a single day—the Lombard Cemetery, the Church of Santa Maria d'Idris, and a Cave House. Traverse the historical center of Matera and immerse yourself in the charm of cave constructions.

Matera Guided Tour: Lombard Cemetery & Cave Constructions

Gather at the designated time in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, located in the heart of Matera's historic center. The tour begins with a guided stroll through the old town, uncovering stories behind three significant monuments.

The first stop will be the Church of Santa Maria d'Idris, an intricately carved cave temple nestled into the cliffs. Here, you will learn about the church's name linked to ancient water flows and explore its history, including a seventeenth-century religious painting and the figure of San Eustaquio, Matera's patron saint. A tunnel connects the church to the cave crypt of San Giovanni di Monterrone, adorned with frescoes.

Next, we will visit Matera's Lombard Cemetery, located on the grounds of an ancient monastic complex, where we will discuss reflections from Carlo Levi, who found contemplation within this cemetery.

Concluding the tour, we will step inside a cave house to learn about Matera's ancient way of life during the era of cave constructions. The tour lasts 2 hours and will conclude at Piazza Giovanni Pascoli.