Chiesa Rupestre di San Pietro Barisano (Rupestrian Church of St. Peter Barisano), Matera
The Church of San Pietro Barisano was originally called San Pietro de Veteribus ("venerable, old"). It is the largest rock church in the city of Matera. The church has been modified more than once over the ages. The first expansion took place between the 15th and 16th centuries.
In the first expansion of the church, side chapels, were installed. Only part of the chapel remains, behind the second altar in the right aisle. There are frescoes of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the Annunciation, Saints Canio, Saint Augustine, Saint Eustachio, and Saint Vito.
The second renovation gave the church a three-nave plan, a new facade, and an underground room called the "Putridarium," a place for the "draining" of the corpses. This funeral practice was reserved for priests. The drained bodies were dressed in liturgical robes and seated in niches in the tuff walls.
Entering the right aisle, one will find the altar of Saint Joseph, missing its altarpiece, stolen in 1977; the altar of Madonna della Consolazione, with tuff images of Madonna and Child, angels and saints; and the altar of the Blessed Sacrament with its floor of decorated majolica tiles.
The left aisle features the altar of the gold leaf Most Holy Crucifix, the altar of the Annunciation, and the altar of Saint Mary Magdalene. At the end of the aisle is the "Sancta Sanctorum," the storage room for liturgical vestments, furnishings, and relics of saints. There are frescoes of the Madonna and Child and Saint Donato the Bishop.
In the first expansion of the church, side chapels, were installed. Only part of the chapel remains, behind the second altar in the right aisle. There are frescoes of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the Annunciation, Saints Canio, Saint Augustine, Saint Eustachio, and Saint Vito.
The second renovation gave the church a three-nave plan, a new facade, and an underground room called the "Putridarium," a place for the "draining" of the corpses. This funeral practice was reserved for priests. The drained bodies were dressed in liturgical robes and seated in niches in the tuff walls.
Entering the right aisle, one will find the altar of Saint Joseph, missing its altarpiece, stolen in 1977; the altar of Madonna della Consolazione, with tuff images of Madonna and Child, angels and saints; and the altar of the Blessed Sacrament with its floor of decorated majolica tiles.
The left aisle features the altar of the gold leaf Most Holy Crucifix, the altar of the Annunciation, and the altar of Saint Mary Magdalene. At the end of the aisle is the "Sancta Sanctorum," the storage room for liturgical vestments, furnishings, and relics of saints. There are frescoes of the Madonna and Child and Saint Donato the Bishop.
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Chiesa Rupestre di San Pietro Barisano (Rupestrian Church of St. Peter Barisano) on Map
Sight Name: Chiesa Rupestre di San Pietro Barisano (Rupestrian Church of St. Peter Barisano)
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