Matera Sassi Small Group Walking Tour with Tasting: History & Rock Churches

Highlights

• Rock Church Visits
• Furnished Cave House
• Tasting & Map

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Chiesa del Purgatorio

   Pass by

   The route begins in the Baroque part of Matera, with an external visit to the Church of Purgatory, a symbolic site that reflects the city’s deep connection between faith, memory, and rebirth.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   Pass by

   This spot marks the transition from monumental Matera to its rock-hewn heart, introducing the story of the city’s urban evolution.

3. 3

   Cathedral Basilica of Matera

   Pass by

   From above, the Sassi unfold below, offering a clear overview that helps you understand the layout of the landscape.

4. 4

   Chiesa Rupestre Sant'Antonio Abate

   15min

   In Sasso Barisano, a frescoed rock church brings to life the spiritual world of the Middle Ages, carved directly into the stone.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   15min

   An immersive look into daily life in the Sassi, with rooms furnished as they were before the 1950s and stories of family life and adaptation.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   Pass by

   This panoramic stretch connects city and nature, opening onto views of the Gravina canyon and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   Pass by

   One of the most iconic views of the Sassi, perfect for photos and a short pause.

8. 8

   Church of Santa Maria de Idris

   20min

   The highlight of the tour is a rock church seemingly suspended above Sasso Caveoso, preserving frescoes from the 12th to the 17th century and the crypt of San Giovanni in Monterrone.

Before you go

Location