Of the two districts of Sassi, the Sasso Caveoso is the less developed one, which makes it all the more interesting.

Housed in Palazzo Pomarici, MUSMA is Matera’s Museum of Contemporary Sculpture.  We didn’t have time to go inside, but will definitely put it at the top of our list, for our next visit.

Besides being one of the areas designated for parking, the Piazza di San Pietro Caveoso is also where you will find the church with the same name: Chiesa San Pietro Caveoso.

The church houses many wonderful pieces of art, including a 16th-century Madonna and Child, known as “De Vexillo.”

The wooden polyptych of the Virgin and Child, between Saints Peter and Paul, is the work of an unknown painter, and dates from 1540.

The Cimitero Barbarico, or Necropoli di Santa Lucia alle Malve, is a cemetery that is made up of tombs dating from the Lombard era.  These tombs literally sit on top of the Sassi beneath them.  The government, in an effort to preserve the tombs, has had them covered with concrete and pebbles.  It is a strangely haunting experience to stand among them, or at least, that was the effect it had on me.

 

Next up: We finish our last day in Matera, with a visit to an old cave dwelling, as well as exploring a bit more of the modern city!

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone out there, as we are all having to deal with this terrible pandemic!  We all need to keep the faith, and know that if we stay strong, keep calm, and remain at home for a little longer, we will get through this, and will one day be able to visit each other again. 

Note: This blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations that may appear.  If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from Matera, as well as other Italian destinations.  Grazie!