Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo (Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church), Matera
The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, also known as San Pietro Caveoso, sits at the eastern end of San Pietro Caveoso Square, overlooking the ravine of the Gravina River far below.
The Baroque-style facade has three portals. Each portal has a niche above holding a statue. The figures represented are "Madonna of the Mercy," "Saint Peter," and "Saint Paul." The side niches each have single rectangular windows above. The central portal is surmounted by two single-lancet windows.
A rose window is in the center gable. The three-stage bell tower has Gothic arch windows. There is an ornate balcony with corbels on the second level. The bell tower is capped with a three-stage tapered spire and a crucifix.
Inside, the ceiling of the central nave is decorated with pictures of "Jesus and Saint Peter" and "Saint Paul's Conversion." The 18th-century altar has a polyptych painted by a mysterious unknown Matera artist. There were originally eight chapels, but four were demolished to build the oratory.
In the fourth chapel on the left is a 13th-century baptismal font. The chapel is 56 feet wide and 141 feet long, with a deep choir. The church has recently been consolidated, improving stability between the building and the rock foundations.
The Baroque-style facade has three portals. Each portal has a niche above holding a statue. The figures represented are "Madonna of the Mercy," "Saint Peter," and "Saint Paul." The side niches each have single rectangular windows above. The central portal is surmounted by two single-lancet windows.
A rose window is in the center gable. The three-stage bell tower has Gothic arch windows. There is an ornate balcony with corbels on the second level. The bell tower is capped with a three-stage tapered spire and a crucifix.
Inside, the ceiling of the central nave is decorated with pictures of "Jesus and Saint Peter" and "Saint Paul's Conversion." The 18th-century altar has a polyptych painted by a mysterious unknown Matera artist. There were originally eight chapels, but four were demolished to build the oratory.
In the fourth chapel on the left is a 13th-century baptismal font. The chapel is 56 feet wide and 141 feet long, with a deep choir. The church has recently been consolidated, improving stability between the building and the rock foundations.
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Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo (Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church) on Map
Sight Name: Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo (Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church)
Sight Location: Matera, Italy (See walking tours in Matera)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Matera, Italy (See walking tours in Matera)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Matera, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Matera
Creating your own self-guided walk in Matera is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Matera's Ancient Cave Churches
Within the old city of Matera, there are more than 160 churches. Many of these are actually carved into the soft limestone cliffs lining the Gravina River. There are even some used for pagan rituals. The churches were carved from existing caves and tunnels. More than a few sanctified cave churches have been converted to storage and homes.
A good example to start with is the St. Anthony... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
A good example to start with is the St. Anthony... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Matera Introduction Walking Tour
Architectural historian Anne Parmly Toxey said the cave areas of Matera had been occupied for at least 3,000 years. There have been settlements in Matera since the Paleolithic era.
The town itself was founded in 251 BC by Roman consul Lucius Caecilius Metellus. He called it Matheola. Subsequently, the town was occupied by Longobards, Byzantines, Saracens, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The town itself was founded in 251 BC by Roman consul Lucius Caecilius Metellus. He called it Matheola. Subsequently, the town was occupied by Longobards, Byzantines, Saracens, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles