San Pietro Barisano


Useful Information

Location: Via San Pietro Barisano.
(40.668769, 16.609361)
Open: APR to OCT daily 9-20.
NOV to MAR daily 10-17.
[2021]
Fee: Adults EUR 3.50, Children EUR 2.50.
[2021]
Classification: SubterraneaCave Church
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:
Address: San Pietro Barisano, Piazza San Pietro Barisano, Matera, Tel: +39-342-0319991.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

12th century church constructed.
15th century church enlarged and side chapels added.
18th century cave restored.
1755 baroque faceade built.
1903 parish with most of the sacred furnishings moved to the nearby church of Sant’Agostino
1993 inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Description

The Church of San Pietro Barisano is one of the biggest rock-hewn churches of Matera. Originally it was called San Pietro de Veteribus. It was originally dug in the 12th and 13th century, but was enlarged in the 15th and 16th century and the two side chapels added. During the 18th century the church was renovated and got ist current form with the three naves. The facade was built in 1755. But in 1903 the church was abandoned due to high humidity inside the cave. The parish with most of the sacred furnishings, including the baptismal font, was moved to the nearby church of Sant’Agostino. What remained in the church was stolen during the abandonment of the Sassi after 1958.