San Pietro Barisano

San Pietro Barisano is the largest rock-cut church in Matera and the main place of worship in the Sasso Barisano. From the outside it looks like a masonry church, with an 18th-century façade and a bell tower; inside, however, it is almost entirely carved out of the rock.

History

Archaeological investigations have revealed, beneath the floor, an earlier rock church dating from the 12th–13th century, also known as San Pietro de Veteribus. Between the 15th and 16th centuries the church was enlarged: the excavation was deepened and side chapels were added. The façade was rebuilt in 1755, and the wooden high altar dates from 1771.

With the depopulation of the Sassi, between the 1960s and 1970s the church suffered theft and vandalism: many statues lost their heads, and in 1977 the altarpieces were stolen. After restoration it has reopened to visitors.

What to see

• The rock-carved nave, with side altars and the tufa statues of the Madonna with Child among angels and saints.
• The frescoes featuring Sant’Eustachio, San Vito, Sant’Agostino, San Canio, Santa Caterina and an Annunciation, and the 16th-century frescoes of the Madonna with Child and San Donato.
• The wooden crucifix from the 16th century.
• The putridarium, the underground room where the bodies of deceased priests were seated in niches carved into the tufa, the “scolatoi” (drainers), before burial. It is the most striking part of the visit.

How to get there

• On foot: from the viewpoint in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, go down into the Sasso Barisano and follow the road towards the lower part of the district, near the edge of the gravina (ravine).
• By car: cars cannot enter the Sassi; it is best to park in one of the car parks in the new town and walk down.

Useful information

• The church is managed by the cooperative Oltre l’Arte; a combined ticket is available with Santa Maria de Idris – San Giovanni in Monterrone and Santa Lucia alle Malve.
• To go down into the putridarium there are narrow steps.