Belvedere Murgia Timone

With a sightseeing bus you will reach the panoramic viewpoint par excellence, called Murgia Timone, from which you will enjoy a breathtaking view of Sassi districts. A tour leader who will show you the sights along the way. After a short tour around the city, we will stop in Belvedere of Murgia Timone for 30 minutes, where you will walk on ancient paths to discover caves inhabited since the Stone Age and get close to one of the 150 rock churches in the area to see wonderful frescoes. Moreover, you will be enraptured by the scents and smells of plants that grow on the park such as thyme, savory and many others. If you are lucky you will also see flying over the area some specimens of Falco Grillaio, a typical species of the Murgia area. Your way back to our venue will be enriched by a tour leader with anecdotes and traditions of the city of Sassi.

Meet up every day at Jazzo Gattini for a 2-hour exploration of the Murgia Materana UNESCO Park. Discover its thousand-year-old Neolithic archaeological wonders, and then visit medieval rock churches frescoed overlooking the Gravina canyon and the Sassi di Matera, ancient cisterns, dry stone walls; a full immersion traveling through the millennia of human history, from the dawn of time to the present day. This area boasts not only a wealth of history and archaeological wonders, but also uncontaminated Mediterranean flora and fauna, immersed in a land that never ceases to amaze and amaze those who wish to discover it.

Your journey begins with a scenic stroll through Matera’s iconic Sassi district, a labyrinth of ancient stone dwellings carved into the rock. You'll then arrive at Porta Pistola, the historic gateway to the Regional Park of the Rupestrian Churches, and the starting point of Trail 406. Set off on this breathtaking trail as it winds through one of southern Italy’s most dramatic and historically rich landscapes. The route offers spectacular panoramic views, open skies, and ancient rock formations unique to this remarkable protected area. The adventure intensifies as you reach the Tibetan Bridge, a thrilling suspension crossing above the Gravina canyon. Walk carefully and take in the unforgettable views of Matera’s stone skyline and the wild beauty of the surrounding terrain. On the other side lies the plateau of the Regional Park of the Rupestrian Churches, where you’ll explore a timeless world of prehistoric rock dwellings, ancient cave churches, and millennia-old engravings etched into limestone cliffs. This archaeological treasure trove speaks to thousands of years of human history and spiritual life. Continue your hike to the serene Gravina Stream, a peaceful spot perfect for resting, refreshing, and soaking in the untouched beauty of nature. When it’s time to head back, you can either hike the same scenic route to Matera or — if you've chosen the evening shared tour — enjoy a comfortable minivan ride back to the city, a relaxing end to a full day of exploration.

A different way of walking in the Murgia Natural Park of Matera, with an expert guide. Enjoy the sunset breathtaking view of the Sassi di Matera and the nocturnal landscape. The area is well known for its famous rock churches, which for centuries have made the gorge a unique and spiritual place, an ancient meeting place of nature and devotion. But the plateau has much older traces, dating back to prehistoric times. There are Neolithic settlements and tombs dating back to several thousand years before Christ. Starting from Jazzo Gattini, just a few minutes from Matera, a 2-hours itinerary leads to the discovery of the rock churches carved into the side of the Matera ravine. You can learn about the naturalistic and landscape aspects and take the perfect photo of Matera from the other side of the ravine. The itinerary continues with a visit to two different rock churches, normally inaccessible without a guide, for example San falcione and Madonna delle tre Porte, where the main architectural and artistic features will be explained. Culture and nature come together in a tour that becomes even more exciting at sunset. An easy walk to enjoy a different and stimulating experience, recommended for those who want to see Matera from a different perspective. Open your eyes, turn off your mobile phone and let yourself be enchanted by the Murgia at night in a timeless atmosphere: sunset does not automatically mean that it is time to end the hike. Hiking at night has its specific charm and offers a completely new perspective of the route, which you thought had nothing to surprise you with. A beautiful night sky, where you will see much more than what you are used to from the city. Hiking at night does not require extra specific equipment, but maybe you will need an headlamp, only where strictly necessary. It can also be interesting to time your hike to the full moon, which will give you extra light, so you won't have to use your headlamp so intensely. Also, if you allow your eyes to adjust to the night, you may find that you will hardly need the headlamp during the full moon.

The tour is a fascinating walk on the Murgia plateau within the 'Natural Historical Archeological Park of Rock Churches', led by an experienced local guide. It will be possible to discover more about the naturalistic and geological aspects of the park, walking along the edge of the ravine. The beautiful landscape of the deep canyon acquires a new meaning as a place of the soul, thanks to the presence of over 150 rock-hewn carved places, called rock churches, that have given the area a spiritual atmosphere since the early Middle Ages. Among them, San Falcione and Madonna delle Tre Porte will be visited during the tour. An itinerary suitable for everyone, to be enjoyed with appropriate footwear, enriched by a memorable panoramic view of the Sassi of Matera. Duration: 2h / entrance fees included Participants: max 15 Transfer on request at an additional cost