Cripta del Peccato Originale

Cripta del Peccato Originale

Cripta del Peccato Originale
4.5
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
About
The Crypt of the Original Sin, in Matera, is located inside a natural cave on the Murgia plateau, near the old Appian Way. Commonly known as “the Sistine Chapel of rupestrian art”, the Crypt was discovered in 1963 by a group of local youths, who noticed the splendid frescoes in what at the time, had become a shelter for sheep herds.Experts later dated the cycle of paintings back to the second half of the 8th century, with Late-Romanesque style and formal elements of Oriental inspiration, such as the Byzantine-style Triarchsand the profile of the Virgin Mary, majestically represented in the sumptuous clothes of the Byzantine empress, the Basilissa.The anonymous, humble artist – who was soon nicknamed the “Flower Painter” – depicted biblical figures in total freedom: God the Creator, Light and Darkness, Adam and Eve, the three Apostles John, Peter and Andrew, the Archangels and Mary. The paintings on the rough walls of the cave are different and unique in Matera’s iconographic context. The scenes are the fruit of the painter’s personal creativity and certainly speak of his freedom in translating complex depictions, and of a lively spontaneity in drawing images. The Crypt of Original Sin may only be visited by booking.
Duration: < 1 hour
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  • Jenny C
    Genoa, Italy29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very suggestive
    The crypt is a real gem. Thanks to a skilful play of light, the narrative voice highlights the individual expertly restored rock painting scenes (unfortunately time and water have partially corroded the frescoes). Scenic and auditory effect with very spiritual background music. We purchased the tickets online the day before but there is a way to purchase them on site (cards accepted) taking into account the access times shown on the site. The entrance to the crypt is 700 meters from the ticket office (there is parking both at the ticket office than to the crypt)
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 14, 2024
  • Conoscere2012
    Milan, Italy311 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A pearl
    Not to be missed for those who love this type of art. The cave is located in the countryside and must be reached by car, accompanied by a person who groups visitors at a farm. The cave is visited while sitting with a lighting and explanation program that is operated by the person who opens the gate. The site, in my opinion is fantastic (I am a fan of Lombard history). I didn't really like the fact that you can't move to see the frescoes better , at the end of the movie, the lights are turned off and then you can't , even stopping after , enjoy the situation. I consider the visit hasty and suitable for those who want to dedicate little time. Moreover, the ticket price is not exactly cheap. The maximum rating I assigned is for the quality of the work, otherwise I would have had to go down
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 27, 2024
  • Manta F
    Naples, Italy68 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Charming place
    Beautiful place, near the center of matera. You can make tickets online and at the nearby farmhouse, where you will find cute local products. Beautifully restored frescoes, not to be missed! Too bad I couldn't take a picture, but from the site you can download them.
    Visited December 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 2, 2024
  • adri a
    44 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice hike!
    Beautiful cave with entrance on the wall of a gorge. You get there with a guide who explains its history well. I appreciated the red flowers frescoed on the rock. Beautiful Adam and Eve; Eve took a fig and not an apple, because rightly the Bible in Aramaic speaks of figs, the apple was introduced in the translation of the Bible from Aramaic in Italy by the fathers of the church because the apple was better known.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 6, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,154 reviews
Excellent
888
Very good
183
Average
41
Poor
15
Terrible
27

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Alessandra_Ruggero
Dairago, Italy36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
An incredible place with a unique atmosphere. Suggested by Lonely Planet, it can be easily reached from the Dragone estate. You can buy tickets there (or even online). We were lucky and found a place in the visit departing from there in a few minutes. Another short drive led by the guide and we arrived at the car park. After a few steps in the rock we entered the crypt. A narrative voice accompanied by a background of Gregorian chants, tells the story of the place and describes the wonderful Benedictine frescoes. The guide seats visitors in a semicircle in front of the three excavated and frescoed apses, where the faithful once gathered in prayer. A place so exciting that it gives you goosebumps.
Google
Written August 24, 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.

Emanuela V
22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
On the advice of a friend we visited this wonder.
To get there from Matera you need a car and in approx. 15' you reach the farmhouse from where the guided tours start. The crypt is located in the middle of the countryside and once inside you sit down and a vast illuminated pictorial cycle from the Benedictine-Beneventan school (8th century) appears which narrates the biblical story of the creation of Adam and Eve and the offering of the fruit forbidden. For us it was an emotion! The explanation through an audio is the subsequent integration by the guide who expertly answered the questions completed the experience. Not to be missed...
Google
Written January 10, 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.

Navigate28291600037
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Friends
Unique place and very well organized visit.
The frescoes are very ancient and their workmanship is surprising. Located in a natural cave that makes both the cultural and spiritual experience unique, they can be appreciated in their refined beauty both thanks to the lights and sound and to the expert and passionate guide who will lead you. Not to be missed. NB not suitable for people with walking difficulties.
Maria Grazia (Rome)
Google
Written January 7, 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.

775DanielleP
Marolles-en-Brie, France2,087 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Couples
After booking on the site, we arrive at the crypt by a small steep path. We have to wait for the guide, late, who opens the gate. It’s dark and the paintings are hard to see; the visit is brief, all for 10,70 €/ person.
Automatically translated
Written January 1, 2025
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.

MvdHoff
Aalsmeer, The Netherlands895 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
This crypt is really worth a visit. We had made a reservation for 11 am and had to report to the Casal Dragone Agriturismo. From there you drive one after the other to the cave (750mt). After 30 steps you arrive at the cave where you are led inside in the dark. When everyone is seated it starts. An explanation of about 30 minutes in Italian, we had an English text through an earpiece. Very impressive to see those frescoes from the 8th century. After returning we had reserved lunch, which we definitely did. See the agriturismo description.
Google
Written September 5, 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.

Melody F
3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
What a unique experience! We were able to enjoy amazing religious art from the 8th century on the walls of this natural cave. It was well worth the lovely, sometimes bumpy drive, about 15-20 minutes from our place in Matera. There are a few things that are helpful to know. The last few miles of road are sometimes dirt and sometimes just not well maintained. The concession is part of the Cooperativa Synchronos. Visitors gather at the main building for the cooperative before all going down together to the parking for the crypt. People with mobility disabilities might have a great deal of difficulty. There are steep stairs leading down to the entrance to the cave and getting up from the seating might be challenging. Once in the cave, there is an interesting and informative presentation giving the history of the crypt and interpretation and context to the art. The experience was worth any inconvenience we initially felt.
Written February 16, 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.

Fundognw
Siena, Italy377 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021 • Couples
The paintings are very special and unlike anything I’ve seen before. When you book online, note that you are to arrive 30 minutes before the tour starts. If you put the place in your GPS it might want to take you all the way to the cave. Don’t drive to the cave. Stop at the biglietteria, which is in an agriturismo. There might be a sign at the desk with no-one there because the guy is doing the tour for the prior group. When it’s time they’ll check you in and you’ll caravan on to the cave down a narrow dirt road. You’ll sit on bumpy rocks inside the cave and different parts of the paintings will be illuminated while there’s an audio explanation. On our day the English audio was malfunctioning, and the day before we were offered a refund and cancellation because of this. We decided to go anyway. Husband’s audio in English worked but mine didn’t. The guy was very helpful and sweet and apologetic about the audio. He spoke English and offered a recap at the end but we declined as we had lunch plans. We were very glad we made the effort to see this.
Written November 9, 2021
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.

Domenico B
Florence, Italy13 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
We arrived half an hour early as requested. The manager of the farmhouse was watching us, talking on the phone about frivolous, non-work related topics. 15 minutes late, the guy who was supposed to accompany us to the cave shows up and asks us to follow him by car on a dirt road while he is in the van, uses the same pitchfork to go back and could have taken us since the van was empty but instead he forced us to pass by car on the bumpy road. he showed up without apologizing for the delay and without even hinting at the slightest empathy for us, we were waiting for him under the sun.

The world is full of people who want to work, if someone doesn't know how to do their duty it's a good idea to replace them
Google
Written September 10, 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.

AMsays
Thornhill, Canada5,215 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
On the morning of my 9 am tour, Expedia did not transmit my confirmed reservation to the actual tour operator, Martulli Viaggi so they left without me. Conveniently, they set me up with another tour of the Crypt of Original Sin for 10:30. I could have reserved also and done it independently but thought booking with Expedia would be better. Not so. Check in was at a winery where you're given an audio guide that was very helpful. Then you're driven to the actual location. Such a magnificent place, full of history, spiritual significance - truly a treasure. The frescoes were amazing and the explanations tied everything togather. I am so glad I didn't miss it...
Written August 1, 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.

Aussies_Travelling
Melbourne, Australia33 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
The frescoes are a true treasure of Italian history, unique for their subject matter and age.

If you have made your booking, and do not get there 30 minutes before hand, then wander quickly down the track and you will more than likely catch the group, as we did.

Highly recommended, which is saying something for a site so close to Matera and its cave churches.
Written March 19, 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.

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Cripta del Peccato Originale, Matera

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