|
|
 |
|
Rupestrian Habitats
 |
Bordering Apuglia and Basilicata, this itinerary explores the many rock-hewn habitats extracted from the soft volcanic rock which pervades this area's geology. |
| Altamura |
 A few kilometers outside of Basilicata rises Altamura whose rupestrian origins are witnessed by the church of S. Michele delle Grotte which is decorated with XIV century frescoes, and the Masseria Lesce complex and its Byzantine frescoes.
12 km due west, at Gravina in Puglia, is an important area of rupestrian civilisation. The five-knaved church of S. Michele a Fondovivo is simply impressive. On the face of the gravina homes were excavated and used for many centuries. Other testimonials of this civilisations are the necropolis of Sidion in Botromagno. |
| Towards Matera |
Distributed along the road towards Matera, a number of prehistoric villages, including Tirlecchia and Murgecchia whose excavations run two to three meters deep, seem to be the only signs of life of the surrounding lunar landsacpe. |
| Matera |
 The urban fabric of Matera is very particular: features of various epochs, from prehistory to the Middle Ages, sit side-by-side. The Sassi, aside from the sheer immensity of their extension, draw an interesting picture of both social stratification and the shared values towards materials and construction methods... That culture was maintained over centuries as over 150 rupestrian churches are catalogued in this area alone. |
| Massafra |
 For those wishing to pursue along the road that leads back into Apuglia, of note are the medieval rupestrian habitats of Massafra. In prehistoric times, mankind dwelled in the natural cavities, gradually extending its territory through skills and workmanship. Monuments of note include the church of S. Leonardo, S. Maria della Scala and the crypt of S. Marco. |
|
|
 |
|
|
