Trekking in the Archaeological Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera

A hike through history and nature exploring a large canyon

Our trek will lead you within the amazing Park of the Ruprestian Churches of Matera, which was declared a World Heritage Site by in 1993.
It was the first site in the South of Italy to receive this prestigious recognition and also the first site in the world to be listed by the UNESCO as a cultural landscape.
These are acknowledged in Article 1 of the Convention as ” combined works of nature and of man” and show the evolution of a society and its settlement over time. Their protection can contribute to the sustainable use of land and the maintenance of biological diversity.
The excursion will let you discover a natural area and its history, biodiversity, and breathtaking views.
Book this hike now to enjoy a stunning and monumental setting.

The itinerary

The access point connecting the Archaeological Park to the city of Matera is the ancient Porta Pistola. This is where our journey begins, in a place where time and nature seem to be frozen in time.
The hike will show the geological nature of the Sassi in all its charm. The landscape is strongly characterised by the presence of a large canyon formed as a result of the erosive action of the torrent Gravina, which was also helped by a friable rock known as Gravina calcarenite.
In this deep crevice that rips up the landscape for hundreds of metres, the nature of the place has literally exploded with the intense green of the forest and the Mediterranean scrub, filling the surrounding area, softening its wild and untamed appearance.
The guided trek will show a series of caves, carved out of rocky outcrops, which were inhabited by the first prehistoric people who found refuge on these uplands.
Many of these caves, over the course of the centuries, would be the reason for a great demographic and social growth in the area, as they became the settlements of entire communities of monks.
There are more than 150 rupestrian churches in this area of the Murgia and we will visit some of those closest to the city of Matera.
Lastly, we will walk across a Tibetan bridge that provides a connection to the Murgia Timone viewpoint, from which we will enjoy a spectacular view of the Sassi of Matera.

Are you ready for the experience Trekking in the Archaeological Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera? Reserve it!

Come and experience it too, we are waiting for you!