Rupestrian Churches Matera Park Tour

Explore the national park with around 150 ancient rock-hewn cave churches on this guided tour of Murgia Park in Matera.

Rupestrian Churches Matera Park Tour

Meet your guide in Via Alessando Volta, Matera, to begin your journey into the Murgia Materana, or the Park of Rock Churches.

Enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site, starting at the archaeological remains of a Neolithic town, where you'll learn about the daily life of its early inhabitants, primarily shepherds and hunters. Discover ruins of farms, sheep pens known as "jazzo", water tanks, and wells dating back thousands of years.

Surround yourself with the 150 Rupestrian churches known in Murgia Materana Park. Mainly built in the Middle Ages, these churches highlight the importance of religion in this region of southern Italy.

Your visit begins at the Church of San Falcione, one of the oldest cave churches in Matera, recognized for its rock-carved structure and 9th century frescoes.

Next, explore the Church of Madonna delle Tre Porte, where your English-speaking guide will explain its historic significance.

Your walking tour concludes at a viewpoint used by Mel Gibson for the crucifixion scene in The Passion of the Christ, offering a chance for a panoramic photo of Matera's historic centre before returning to the city by bus.

How long is the walking tour?

The route covers around 4 kilometres (about 2.5 miles), approximately a 50-minute walk, tailored to your group's needs.

Temporary Closures

Due to rehabilitation work, visits to the churches in the itinerary are suspended. Instead, you will enter the 16th-century sanctuary of Santa Maria della Palomba.