Excursion to the Gravina di Matera and the Bat Cave

The viewpoint over the ravine of Matera.

Calcarenite, a clastic sedimentary rock rich in marine fossils, testifies that this vast limestone block was submerged by the sea until the Cretaceous geological period.

The village of Montescaglioso (MT) and its Abbey of San Michele seen from afar.

The rock church of San Nicola all'Ofra seen from afar.

A Vanessa Atalanta sitting feeding on the prickly pear fruit.

Along the ancient mule track carved into the rock.

The sinuosity of the ravine and its torrent.

Along the path that crosses the typical Mediterranean scrub full of shrubs.

The snow-capped Pollino massif seen from Matera.

Duration3h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

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TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish, Italian

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

A panoramic excursion in rocky habitats, flanking the Gravina di Matera and its stream which extends for 20 km, from the foot of the city of Matera, made famous for its Sassi and declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.
We will follow the stream along the ridge of one side of the ravine, enjoying the landscapes of the Murgia Materana Regional Park.
First by exploring the rock church of San Nicola all'Ofra, a farmhouse with its rooms dug into the cliff that communicate with each other: tunnels, stairways, cisterns, churches, developing on 3 levels of height.
And then the karst Bat Cave, among the oldest evidence of human life in this area, a series of corridors, a breeding site for flying mammals, a place that hides the treasure of King Barbarossa between history and legend and where thanks research carried out in recent centuries revealed Paleolithic tools and fossils of extinct animals, such as the cave bear.

What's included

Private transportation
Pick-up

What to expect

1h

This ravine of karst origin and carved over time by its torrent extends for almost 20 kilometres, from the foot of the city of Matera, made famous for its Sassi (houses dug into the calcarenite and used for millennia by the locals) and declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.

The ravine rich in caves, once strategically inhabited by the local population, flows southwards and touches the town of Montescaglioso, then flows into the Bradano river and finally flows into the Ionian Sea.

We will go up the path of the stream along the ridge of one side of the ravine, enjoying the landscapes of the Murgia Materana Regional Park.
1h

The journey continues and reaches the rock church of San Nicola all'Ofra, a farmhouse with its rooms dug into the cliff that communicate with each other: tunnels, stairways, cisterns, churches, frescoes, developing on 3 levels of height.

The cluster of caves overlooks the ravine of Matera and the stream that crosses it.

A very suggestive place, in a breathtaking landscape, where the steep rocky walls also represent the typical habitat for the rare black stork, a wonderful bird at risk of extinction, which for some years has sensationally returned to nesting in the Lucanian territory.
1h

A complex of karst caves composed of large entrances and long, narrow tunnels, an important breeding site for fascinating flying mammals.

In this place where research had already previously been carried out to find the legendary treasure of King Barbarossa, in the 19th century the local archaeologist Domenico Ridola found Paleolithic tools, ceramics, tombs with skeletons and fossils of extinct animals: such as the ancient ox and the 'cave bear.

Today exhibited in the Domenico Ridola National Archaeological Museum of Matera:

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Easily reachable via the Matera Sud road exit of the SS7.

End point

Easily reachable via the Matera Sud road exit of the SS7.

Pickup details

Using the Ferrovie del Nord Barese trains from Bari airport and the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane trains from Bari station, it is possible to reach Matera, where I can reach you.

Additional information

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

5.0 (6)

Parts of this description were translated automatically.

From

€20.00 per person

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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
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Operated by Viandanti del Sud · Booked through Viator

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