Regional Park of the Murgia Materana

The Regional Park of the Murgia Materana is a place of extraordinary natural and historical beauty, located on the outskirts of Matera, in southern Italy. This park, established in 1990, covers over 8,000 hectares and includes a wide variety of landscapes, from Mediterranean scrubland to deep canyons, offering a fascinating glimpse into the biodiversity and geological history of the region. One of the most distinctive aspects of the Murgia Materana Park is the presence of the famous “Sassi”, ancient dwellings carved into the limestone rock, dating back thousands of years. These troglodytic settlements represent one of the most impressive examples of rock architecture in the world and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The Sassi di Matera offer an incredible testimony to human adaptability and thriving in a challenging natural environment. The park is also rich in archaeological and historical sites. Among these, the rock churches stand out as true gems of art and architecture. These churches, often decorated with medieval frescoes, were places of worship and refuge for the monastic communities that inhabited the area. The Church of San Pietro Barisano, the Church of Santa Maria de Idris, and the Crypt of the Original Sin are just some of the extraordinary testimonies of this religious heritage. The landscape of the Murgia Materana Park is characterized by typically Mediterranean vegetation, with scrubland, oak forests, and flowering meadows. This natural habitat hosts a rich fauna, including rare and protected species such as the Lanner falcon, the Eurasian eagle-owl, and various species of reptiles and amphibians. Hiking in the park offers the opportunity to spot these animals in their natural environment, making the experience even more fascinating. From a geological point of view, the Murgia Materana is a territory of great interest. Its limestone rocks, shaped by erosion and weathering over millennia, have given rise to spectacular natural formations such as canyons, caves, and pinnacles. These geological features not only contribute to the beauty of the landscape but also provide important information about Earth’s history and the evolution of climate and environment. One of the park’s most popular attractions is the Jazzo Gattini Visitor Center, located in a restored ancient farmhouse. This center offers detailed information about the park, thematic exhibitions, and educational activities for all ages. Additionally, the center organizes guided tours, workshops, and laboratories that allow visitors to deepen their knowledge of the territory and its peculiarities. A fascinating aspect of the Murgia Materana Park is its ability to tell the story of the interaction between man and nature. The numerous trails and hiking paths that cross the park allow for the exploration of places of great historical and landscape interest, such as Neolithic villages, necropolises, tratturi, and ancient transhumance routes. These paths offer a journey through time, allowing visitors to discover how the different civilizations that have succeeded over the centuries have left their mark on the landscape.