Convicinio di Sant'Antonio (St. Anthony Conviction Church Complex), Matera
Saint Anthony Conviction is a complex of four rock churches and a courtyard. It is located in the Casalnuovo district, an old working area of Matera. It is possible to find more than a few 17th-century cellars showing signs of activity. There are caves adapted to wine storage, millstones, and work surfaces.
The four churches are from the 12th and 13th centuries. An ogival arch opens to the courtyard overlooked by the rock churches of San Primo, Sant Eligo, San Donato, and Sant Antonio Abate. Around the end of the 18th century, they lost their status as churches and were adapted to the work systems of the area.
The first church after going through the arch is San Primo. It consists of two small chapels. There is a passage to the crypt of Sant Eligo. Here is a hall and a presbytery for the worshippers and celebrants. Three apses at the rear of the hall have walls with traces of frescoes dating from the 14th century.
The crypt of San Donato has a square plan layout. The vaults, adorned with fading decorations, add to the liturgical spaces of the faithful and the presbytery. Next to the entrance is a cistern used to collect rainwater. The face of San Donato in a miter can be seen in the remains of a fresco. Also discernible is a Madonna and Child.
The last church is a chapel room dedicated to Sant Antonio Abate. The space is divided into three apsidal naves. The apse caps have sculpted lily crosses.
Editor's Note: The sight is under renovations and temporarily closed.
The four churches are from the 12th and 13th centuries. An ogival arch opens to the courtyard overlooked by the rock churches of San Primo, Sant Eligo, San Donato, and Sant Antonio Abate. Around the end of the 18th century, they lost their status as churches and were adapted to the work systems of the area.
The first church after going through the arch is San Primo. It consists of two small chapels. There is a passage to the crypt of Sant Eligo. Here is a hall and a presbytery for the worshippers and celebrants. Three apses at the rear of the hall have walls with traces of frescoes dating from the 14th century.
The crypt of San Donato has a square plan layout. The vaults, adorned with fading decorations, add to the liturgical spaces of the faithful and the presbytery. Next to the entrance is a cistern used to collect rainwater. The face of San Donato in a miter can be seen in the remains of a fresco. Also discernible is a Madonna and Child.
The last church is a chapel room dedicated to Sant Antonio Abate. The space is divided into three apsidal naves. The apse caps have sculpted lily crosses.
Editor's Note: The sight is under renovations and temporarily closed.
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Convicinio di Sant'Antonio (St. Anthony Conviction Church Complex) on Map
Sight Name: Convicinio di Sant'Antonio (St. Anthony Conviction Church Complex)
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