One of the Most Spectacular Rupestrian Landscapes in Italy
A superficial knowledge of the Park's territory leads to consider it as a naked, harsh, and hostile place because of its wide heaps of stones and steep overhanging rocks. However, in this rough orography which seems to repel man's presence, it is possible to find an extraordinary naturalistic richness. In the Park there are prehistorical caves, rupestrian monastic settlements, and prehistorical settlements.
The Rupestral Churches
The phenomenon of the Rupestral Churches of Matera originated from the settlement of communities which used to live in caves and which were characterized by the spirituality of the monks of Italian-Greek Rite who imported models of rupestral architecture and iconography. Moreover, after the period of political instability of the town, in Matera two different cultures expressed themselves: the Greek one of the Byzantines, and the Latin one of the Longobards and of the Benedictine Order. With the arrival of the Normans in the 11th century, the institutionalization of the monasteries and the adoption of a policy of tolerance, the coexistance and the fusion of the two cultures was made possible.
The need to isolate the presbytery in order to conceal the liturgic event in the Greek Rite churches led to the creation of two kinds of enclosure: the "pergula", a low enclosure with parapets and arcades which do not completely block the view, and the "templon", a wall reaching the ceiling with a narrow central opening and two small lateral windows.
In several cases, the rupestral churches were painted in frescoes with the sacred images of Christ, of the Virgin, of the Saints, of the Apostles, and more rarely, with scenes taken from the Bible or deriving from important events of the period. The dating of the frescoes has given problems, since it is an art which has preserved the same features for a very long time, crystallizing its iconographic scheme. However, it is possible to date most of them between the 12th and 13th centuries. They were clearly influenced by the Byzantines (in the steadyness of the figures) even if they preserved traces of the Western tradition in some lively faces. The frescoes mainly follow a fixed scheme: Christ and the Madonna are situated in a central position, while the Saints are represented on their sides. An important feature is represented by the epigraphs, usually in Latin, telling the name of the Saint.
Matera
Matera, known as a very ancient "troglodyte town", has not had the present features; its particular urban phenomenon represents the final result of a settlement process which took place during the centuries thanks to concomitant geographical, geological, economic, and political factors: a particular urbanization generated by the great poverty in means, but supported by a strong will of settlement.
Montescaglioso
Montescaglioso is a historical town center rich in monuments and of great environmental interest. The evidences of the settlement date back to the 8th century BC; it was one of the most important centers of what will become the Magna Graecia of Lucania. The first medieval evidence dates back to the year 893, when Montescaglioso was a fortified center where the Benedictine monks settled. The wonderful Benedictine Abbey of S. Michele Arcangelo dates back to the 11th century: it will play an essential role in the social and economic events of the town until the 19th century. Montescaglioso is today a town with a butterfly-shaped plant, based on the central square (near the castle) which is the lay knot of the urban development, and on two monastic centers.
The Sassi of Matera: Unesco World Heritage
Situated in front of the Parco delle Chiese Rupestri, the ancient quarters "Sassi" of Matera have been decleared in 1996 World Heritage by the UNESCO. The Sassi are made of 2 quarters: the Caveoso and the Barisano.
Sasso Caveoso
A walk among houses, caves, water and snow reservoirs, cellars and narrow alleys in the most suggestive areas of the Sassi. It is possible to visit: the Convicinio di S. Antonio, S. Lucia alle Malve, the Madonna dell'Idris, the house-cave of a labourer with furnishings of the 50s, the ancient cellars.
Sasso Barisano
The route develops among neighbourhoods, 18th and 19th century palaces, and ancient squares, and it shows the first examples of integration between ancient places and modern activities. In the Barisano quarter the urban adventure of the town began with the recovery of the Sassi in 1986. It is possible to visit: Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Sasso Barisano, Via Fiorentini, Piazza del sedile, Piazza Duomo, Cattedrale, Via Ridola.
Visitor Centers
The Park Authority and the associated organizations are currently carrying out a rich activity of Guided Visits in Parco della Murgia Materana. For information, please contact the below-mentioned structures.
Park Headquarters: Matera - Sasso Barisano
Situated in the heart of Sassi, at the upper floor of the noble palace whose building dates back to the half of 1600 and whose owners where the Bronzini family. Contact: Tel. 0039.0835.336166 - E-mail: info@parcomurgia.it
Visitor Center and Environmental Education Center of Jazzo Gattini and Masseria Radogna
It is situated in contrada Murgia Timone (viewpoint of the Municipality of Matera) in the rural premises of Jazzo Gattini and Masseria Radogna. It is provided with halls for environmental didactics/projection hall, a hall for lab activities (archaeology, geology, botany, of matters), conference hall, ecomuseum with permanent exhibit about the Park, didactic apiary, refreshment point, bookshop and merchandising. Contact: Tel.Fax 0039.0835.332262 E-mail: cea@parcomurgia.it
Visitor Center Montescaglioso (MT) - Benedictine Abbey S. Michele Arcangelo
It is situated in some of the halls of the ground floor of a huge monastic complex dating back to the second half of the 11th century. Contact: Tel. 0039.0835.201016 ceamonte@katamail.com