Chiesa di Santa Lucia alle Malve (Church of Santa Lucia at Malve), Matera
The Church of Santa Lucia alle Malve is a rock church near the Sasso Caveoso, annexed to a women's Benedictine monastery of the 11th century. The church was first dedicated to Saint Agatha and then to Saint Lucia between 1217 and 1267. The nuns moved in 1525 to the monastery of Santa Lucia alla Civita and later to Santa Lucia al Piano. The church became a residence.
Three sculptures of chalices, each from a different era, adorn the facade. They refer to the martyrdom of Saint Lucia. Frescoes, discovered in 1977, decorate the inner walls. The 12th-century pictures show Gabriel crushing a dragon, the Nursing Madonna, San Nicola, San Benedetto, Giovanna Battista, and others.
The church is easy to see compared to the monastic houses. In 1283 the community of nuns moved to the Civita, and the structures became private homes. The church is in two parts. The right aisle, restored and renovated, is open to the public. Mass is celebrated here on December 13, Saint Lucia's Day.
The second part encompasses the other aisles as private residences. The three naves are not symmetrical; they are formed more by stones shaped by nature than craft, similar to a lithotome. The crypt of the church has rich, vivid frescoes. Above the church is a necropolis of rock tombs.
Three sculptures of chalices, each from a different era, adorn the facade. They refer to the martyrdom of Saint Lucia. Frescoes, discovered in 1977, decorate the inner walls. The 12th-century pictures show Gabriel crushing a dragon, the Nursing Madonna, San Nicola, San Benedetto, Giovanna Battista, and others.
The church is easy to see compared to the monastic houses. In 1283 the community of nuns moved to the Civita, and the structures became private homes. The church is in two parts. The right aisle, restored and renovated, is open to the public. Mass is celebrated here on December 13, Saint Lucia's Day.
The second part encompasses the other aisles as private residences. The three naves are not symmetrical; they are formed more by stones shaped by nature than craft, similar to a lithotome. The crypt of the church has rich, vivid frescoes. Above the church is a necropolis of rock tombs.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Matera. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Chiesa di Santa Lucia alle Malve (Church of Santa Lucia at Malve) on Map
Sight Name: Chiesa di Santa Lucia alle Malve (Church of Santa Lucia at Malve)
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 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
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