Crypt of the Original Sin

The Crypt of the Original Sin, located on the outskirts of Matera, is one of the most fascinating and mysterious sites of Italian rock art. Also known as the “Sistine Chapel of rock wall painting”, this crypt offers an extraordinary testimony of early Christian art in southern Italy. Discovered in 1963 by a group of young caving enthusiasts, the crypt was originally a rock church dating back to the 9th century, used by Benedictine monks. Located in a natural cave along the Gravina di Picciano, the crypt stands out for its frescoes depicting biblical scenes with incredible vividness and detail. These frescoes, created with a mixed technique of fresco and tempera, are considered one of the oldest examples of Christian painting in Italy. The entrance to the crypt is discreet, hidden among the rock formations, and leads to a sacred space divided into three naves. The frescoes decorating the walls depict scenes from the Old and New Testament, with particular emphasis on the creation and fall of man. The pictorial cycle unfolds in a visual narrative that starts from the Creation of the world, goes through the Creation of Adam and Eve, and culminates in their expulsion from the earthly Paradise. One of the most impressive frescoes is the one depicting God the Father creating the sun and the moon, a work of extraordinary expressive power. The figure of God is represented with solemn and majestic features, while the sun and the moon, placed on the sides, are surrounded by angels and celestial symbols. This fresco not only represents a key moment in the biblical narrative, but also offers a reflection on divine power and the creation of the universe. Other frescoes of great interest are those depicting the Original Sin and the Expulsion from Paradise. The scene of the Original Sin shows Adam and Eve at the moment they succumb to the temptation of the serpent, an image rich in details and symbolism. The Expulsion from Paradise, on the other hand, represents the moment when the ancestors of humanity are expelled from the Garden of Eden, with the angel brandishing the flaming sword. These images, although damaged by time, maintain a chromatic vividness and a narrative force that make them extremely evocative. The Crypt of the Original Sin is not only a masterpiece of sacred art, but also an important testimony of monastic life and religious devotion in the Middle Ages. The Benedictine monks who settled there used the crypt as a place of prayer and meditation, exploiting the natural characteristics of the cave to create an environment of contemplation and spirituality. The choice to represent the cycle of the Original Sin reflects a profound theological reflection on the human condition and the need for redemption. Over the centuries, the crypt was abandoned and forgotten, until it was rediscovered in the 20th century. Since then, important restoration works have been undertaken to preserve the frescoes and make the site accessible to the public. An interesting anecdote concerns the discovery of the crypt itself. It is said that the young caving enthusiasts who found it were attracted by a small opening in the rock, from which a faint thread of light emerged. Curious, they ventured into the cave and, to their great amazement, found themselves facing an extraordinary sight: the frescoed walls telling the story of Creation and the Fall of man. This discovery was met with great enthusiasm and led to a series of studies and research that have allowed to reconstruct the history and meaning of the crypt.