Parco delle Chiese Rupestri di Matera
Parco delle Chiese Rupestri di Matera
Parco delle Chiese Rupestri di Matera
4.5
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According to the World Heritage site, "Matera's Sassi are the best surviving and most complete examples of rock-cut settlement in the Mediterranean region. They have been developed in close harmony with the natural environments."
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
433 reviews
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Elisa f
Parma, Italy426 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
There are several sites, several churches and the cost can vary from €5 to €10 depending on the site you want to visit. Some beautiful and beautiful locations for temporary exhibitions of well-known and lesser-known artists: in this very evocative context the archeology to art, spectacular mixture in my eyes. The aesthetic and emotional impact is such that the place of worship is known as the "Sistine Chapel of rock art". An enchantment…
Written August 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MICAELA P
5 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
One of a kind experience... suggestive and touching for the panoramic views of the Sassi of Matera. A place that exudes history and effort of those who used the caves and rock churches of which the Park is full. It is necessary to have good shoes, preferably trekking ones, as the route is not very easy, especially downhill due to the absence of supports. The first stretch that leads from the Sassi di Matera to the Tibetan bridge remains poorly maintained... too much broken glass! Have a nice walk.... Micaela
Written November 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francesco Maria Carducci
San Gemini, Italy679 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
The Park of the Rock Churches of the Murgia Materana extends on the other side of the ravine where the historic center of Matera stands, right in front of it.
Walking in the park you can see various cavities, where there are rock churches, which preserve frescoes that are not very well preserved, but still decipherable.
Worthy of note are the Church of San Falcione, the most representative of the park, together with the Church of San Vito and the Church of Sant'Agnese.
In addition to the three main ones, the rock cavities host many other churches and common homes, worth visiting even if there are no frescoes.
The visit is recommended, combined with the city of Matera.
Walking in the park you can see various cavities, where there are rock churches, which preserve frescoes that are not very well preserved, but still decipherable.
Worthy of note are the Church of San Falcione, the most representative of the park, together with the Church of San Vito and the Church of Sant'Agnese.
In addition to the three main ones, the rock cavities host many other churches and common homes, worth visiting even if there are no frescoes.
The visit is recommended, combined with the city of Matera.
Written January 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jackie
United Kingdom102 contributions
May 2022
I could not get tired of walking around this stunning landscape. The views are ever changing and the wildlife so varied, with colourful butterfies, a riot of flowers, swallows swooping, kites hunting, and the iconic kestrels hovering . The gorge acted as an amphitheatre for the frogs in the river! The churches are lovely, and we found 18,000-year-old neolithic tombs which had real atmosphere.
Watching the sunset behind Matera from the Belvedere is worth the trip alone!
I recommend wearing strong shoes to walk around the gorge, as the paths are uneven.
Watching the sunset behind Matera from the Belvedere is worth the trip alone!
I recommend wearing strong shoes to walk around the gorge, as the paths are uneven.
Written May 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susy Ianos
Catanzaro, Italy42 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Beautiful walk in the Murgia Park to discover the rock churches, the local flora and the history of this enchanted place which, among other things, was the location of historical films such as "The Gospel according to Matthew" by Pasolini and "The Passion of the Christ " by Mel Gibson. Francesco, our guide, very knowledgeable and very nice. At the end of the walk, taken in the afternoon, a breathtaking view of Matera at sunset: practically a postcard!
Highly recommended experience
Highly recommended experience
Written November 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HahnTravels
Liverpool, Australia1,290 contributions
Nov 2010
The Sassi areas are remarkable. Had a guide diagram from my hotel which allowed me to see everything of interest at my own pace. A couple of older caves restored as museums and fairly cheap to enter and see what they must have been decked out like.The older area (Caveoso) was wild and yet there were many caves I was able to enter without a guide, even though I had been told that there would not be any.
Cave churches and homes are amazing testament to the ability to survive in such a harsh environment. What a sense of history - see it if you can.
Cave churches and homes are amazing testament to the ability to survive in such a harsh environment. What a sense of history - see it if you can.
Written June 2, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alistairbudd
Berkhamsted, UK293 contributions
Sep 2019
well worth the short drive from Matera , amazing view of the city and a good place for a short walk around some cave houses . Longer walks are avalaible . But we did a 1 hour stover and it was really good .
Written October 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HvPssptWilTrvl
Newton, MA536 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
There can be no reason not to visit this park. We had a rental car but the site can be accessed by tour bus / van, taxi, Uber, etc. This is an "A No. One" attraction and rightly so. Difficult walking
even in the best of conditions. Allow 2-4 hours on a nice day to roam around the trails, take scenic pictures of the city, the gorge, the caves and whatever else you fancy. Rain came out of nowhere. If you plan on a half-day or more visit check the forecast. Best time to visit is in the early morning dim of sunrise when the natural lighting is beyond fantastic. Unfortunately, at sunset the city is to the west of the park and is shrouded in a dull gray cast of dinginess until the automated lights come at dusk when Matera's buildings and piazzas glow in gold hues.
even in the best of conditions. Allow 2-4 hours on a nice day to roam around the trails, take scenic pictures of the city, the gorge, the caves and whatever else you fancy. Rain came out of nowhere. If you plan on a half-day or more visit check the forecast. Best time to visit is in the early morning dim of sunrise when the natural lighting is beyond fantastic. Unfortunately, at sunset the city is to the west of the park and is shrouded in a dull gray cast of dinginess until the automated lights come at dusk when Matera's buildings and piazzas glow in gold hues.
Written June 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnArborMHT
Genoa, Italy1,649 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
The Park of the Rupestrian Churches is a top attraction for hikers and good walkers, but it really pays to go prepared and take the walk in this area seriously. One could spend several days hiking the area so it really pays to consult a guide or one of the official city tour offices before you set out to understand what you might like to see and how difficult a hike you would like to take. It's a vast park with many trails and although they are marked; its not that easy to follow them. A guide is recommended. Be aware that with the recent heavy rains the two small bridges have been washed away making it a bit tricky getting to the other side and to get around in the most easiest accessed area, along Via Madonna delle Virtu. With that said; its an amazing experience but be sure to wear good hiking boots, bring water, snack and sunscreen if you plan to stay out for awhile. A walking stick would be helpful as some of the declines are steep along with the "steps" but you won't find any in the park so come prepared!. If you can find a copy of "Matera-Itinerari nei Sassi e nel Parco della Murgia Materana it lays out several tours to take both in the city and the park-its very helpful, but hard to find.
Many of the frescoes have been badly damaged by graffiti-if you are reading this you probably aren't someone who defaces art, but its really sad to see what has happened in this lovely park. Try to encourage others not to touch what's left.
Many of the frescoes have been badly damaged by graffiti-if you are reading this you probably aren't someone who defaces art, but its really sad to see what has happened in this lovely park. Try to encourage others not to touch what's left.
Written April 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl155019
Toronto, Canada45 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
We really enjoyed our hike in the Park of Rupestrian Churches. When we started out we encountered a number of very docile cows wearing large bells that made charming sounds when they graciously moved out of our way (I was a little frightened at first, but they are clearly used to hikers). The trail was well-marked and an easy hike. The views of Matera were breath-taking and the small caves with painted frescoes dotting the route were captivating.
Written July 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ciao a tutti,avrei necessità di capire come arrivare in questo parco per poter vedere anche Matera da questo lato, noi avremo una macchina e dopo aver visto la città ci piacerebbe arrivare nel parco.
Non ho però capito come arrivare e dove lasciare l' auto.
Grazie !!!
Written June 23, 2019
Conviene lasciare la macchina nei parcheggi in via annunziatela o lungo gli stradoni per arrivare al varco Sant Agostino a traffico limitato! Oppure con una pacchetto che preveda es un carrozzino. In ogni caso 15 minuti di passo e si ammira anche la zona di introduzione.
Written June 23, 2019
salve, si deve visitare attraverso guide, dove mi consigliate di entrare per visitarle?
Written May 16, 2017
Hi-Is this a hike one can do without a guide? Also, is the hike accessible from the city or does one need to drive there? I cannot find any information on where the trailhead is. Would appreciate any help you can provide.
Thank you.
Christine
Written June 14, 2016
Which guide did you use, how much did it cost and how would I find them, please...
Written May 24, 2016
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