Murgia Materana Park

The story of the Murgia Materana is one of geology and endurance. Carved by the torrent that flows through the Gravina canyon, this vast limestone plateau provided a harsh yet protective sanctuary for human life long before the city of Matera took its current form. During the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, cave dwellers found shelter within these natural ravines, leaving behind traces of villages that offer a rare window into the dawn of Mediterranean civilisation. It was a landscape defined by what the earth offered, compelling early inhabitants to dig into the rock to carve out a living. During the Middle Ages, the Murgia became a refuge for monks, both Benedictine and Byzantine, who sought solitude away from the political turmoil of the lowlands. They transformed the existing caves and dug entirely new sanctuaries into the limestone, adorning them with frescoes that still whisper the prayers of the past. These rupestrian churches were places of worship and symbols of spiritual resistance. Life here was inextricably linked to the land, as generations of farmers and shepherds worked the plateau, building fortified masserie to guard their resources and their families against various invaders. Today, the park stands as a testament to the resilience of this rugged terrain. Designated as a vital component of the UNESCO World Heritage site, it serves as a bridge between the deep history of Matera and the wild, untamed nature of Basilicata. The transition from the crowded stone dwellings of the Sassi to the silent, wind-swept plateau of the Murgia is a journey through time itself. Protecting this area ensures that the legacy of the monks, the ancient farmers, and the very first inhabitants remains an integral part of the region's identity, preserving a fragile ecosystem that continues to thrive in the heart of the Mediterranean.