Gravina di Matera

Alberobello was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, representing an extraordinary example of construction using prehistoric techniques that have survived intact and are still in use in the modern world. A "trullo" is a small limestone dwelling, built with dry stone walls, roughly worked limestone boulders collected from the surrounding fields and topped with a characteristic conical roof. Souvenir shops, B&Bs, bars, and restaurants enliven your visit to Alberobello. The dazzling light reflected from the white walls of the trulli and the narrow streets that intertwine create a unique and fairy-tale atmosphere, making this place truly special in the world. The journey continues to Matera, one of the most spectacular places in Italy. It is incredible to think that less than 70 years ago, around 15,000 people, mostly farmers, still lived in caves without natural light, ventilation, running water, or electricity. Today, Matera is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was designated European Capital of Culture in 2019. Its ancient neighborhoods, known as *sassi*, are an intricate system of caves carved into the limestone rock, overlooking a deep ravine. As you stroll around, you can admire a complex labyrinth of stone paths and stairways, enriched by artisan shops, cafés, and gelaterias.

Begin in Piazza Pascoli with a picturesque view over the Sasso Caveoso area, the Murgia plateau, and the massive karst fracture called "Gravina di Matera". Get a historic-architectural introduction to the Sassi before entering the Sasso Caveoso area. Visit a traditionally furnished cave-house, proof of how the poor citizens lived until the mid-fifties, before the De Gasperi Restoration act of 1953. Continue with the visit of a Rock-hewn Church completely carved in the rock, that holds precious iconographic traces of the X-XIII centuries Greek-Italian monasticism. Enter the “Bottegaccio”, an artisan workshop of ceramic and paper-mache, where the craftsman will tell you the story of 4 traditional Matera objects. After traveling in time and space, from the Paleolithic to the present day, end the tour with a small tasting of traditional southern food.

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.

Setting out on this hiking tour, you are going to follow quite a steep trail that leads to the Gravina stream at the bottom of the small canyon, situated in the Regional Park of Rupestrian Churches on the wide highland of Murgia Materana, declared Unesco World Heritage site since 2007. Under the guidance of a blue badge guide you will enjoy a magnificent journey in the nature and discover ancient Rupestrian Churches in the midst of lush vegetation. Your guide will reveal all the secrets of the park, explainig both historical notions and the use of herbs by our ancestors. At the end of the tour you will have a chance to admire the ancient city of the Sassi at sunset from a completely different perspective. The tour ends at the Central Bus Station.

The heart of the Park of the Murgia Materana, also called the Historical Natural Park of the Rock Churches, is a treasure chest that holds evidence of ancient devotion. The Mediterranean scrubland opens up to reveal places of worship and cavities used for funerary purposes, skilfully dug into the rock, whose first traces date back to the Bronze Age and then resumed during the last millennium. The so-called 'negative architecture' still astonishes today and never ceases to be the subject of research and study. The rocky conformation is the protagonist and not just the backdrop of this fascinating human enterprise, in a synergic man-nature relationship that will be at the basis of the recognition of these places as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1993 and is spread across some of the most spectacular rock scenary in the world. Far from mass tourism and the main roads, just a few kilometres from the city, an hike will allow us to enjoy a unique experience along the Matera ravine, amidst Byzantine rock-hewn churches, tombs and dry-stone walls. The 'Vie del Rupestre' route combines extra-urban rock churches, making it an ideal cultural visit for those who crave a unique experience in the open air. It is perfect for the curious and those who want to veer away from stereotypical postcard images. Rock churches can only be visited through or thanks to Crea Experience, which is dedicated to managing the sites with respect for history and the environment, to further safeguard and enhance the rocky surroundings of Matera. Discover the ways of rocks and caves, where trekking and history collide. A private bus will make it easy to reach the starting point and a local guide will lead us to discover these places of the soul, with an hike of about 3 hours - stops included - for a total of 6 km. The tour is not available for people under 18 years old.