Things to see · Archaeological sites
Rocca and Old Village of Calciano
Calciano (Matera)
Rocca and Old Village of Calciano is in Calciano, province of Matera. Opening hours: Open-air area, reached along the lit footpath. Admission: Free.
- Free.
- Open-air area, reached along the lit footpath.
About this place
Above the present-day Calciano rises the Rocca del Castello, the site where the ancient village once stood. It is a geosite of great interest and preserves the ruins of the Rocca church and numerous caves carved into the rock.
History
The old village, known as Calciano di Pede, has a history marked by floods and earthquakes: it was hit by landslides and flooding in 1235 and by an earthquake in 1248. It was a fief of the Sforza, Sanseverino and Revertera families. At the end of the 19th century, after yet another flood, it was permanently abandoned and the residents moved higher up, where the town stands today.
What to See
• The ruins of the Rocca church, dedicated to Maria Santissima della Rocca: its frescoes were removed and moved to the Mother Church.
• The ipogei (rock-cut underground chambers) below the Rocca, where fossils can also be seen: some were homes, others hermits’ shelters, and they recall the rock settlements of Matera.
• La Fontana di Pede, a large cave that collected water for the village.
• La Cinta di Santa Caterina, opposite the Rocca, with two frescoed caves depicting Saint Catherine, Lucifer and Saint Anthony Abbot, now difficult to access.
How to Visit
To reach the Rocca, you climb along a lit path. The ruins can be visited freely.
Useful Information
• Comfortable shoes are essential: the ground is uneven.
• Calciano lies within the Gallipoli Cognato and Piccole Dolomiti Lucane Park: from the village you can reach the Gallipoli Cognato forest.
