Murgia Materana Archaeological Park
Murgia Materana Archaeological Park features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Matera. Give it roughly ~180 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type nature
- Suggested visit ~180 min
- Matera Matera guide
About Murgia Materana Archaeological Park
A wild karst plateau opposite Matera across the Gravina gorge, where prehistoric villages, rock churches, cave dwellings, and untouched Mediterranean scrubland shelter wolves, golden eagles, and peregrine falcons.
The Murgia Materana Archaeological Park is the wild plateau on the opposite side of the Gravina gorge from Matera's Sassi, a landscape of karst limestone, Mediterranean scrub, and deep ravines that preserves the most ancient stratum of Matera's human habitation. The park contains numerous prehistoric settlements and cave dwellings going back at least 9,000 years, dozens of rock-cut Byzantine churches, and the extraordinary natural landscape of the Alta Murgia, one of the few remaining wild landscapes in the southern Italian interior. The park also preserves significant wildlife: it is one of the few areas in Basilicata where wolves still roam freely, and golden eagles and peregrine falcons nest in the ravine walls. Access is on foot or by guided tour.
Did you know? The Murgia Materana plateau is one of the few areas in southern Italy where wolves are now resident year-round. The Italian wolf (Canis lupus italicus) returned to Basilicata in the 1990s from the Apennine wolf population to the north, following the recovery of prey species and improved legal protection. Their presence in the park adds to its status as one of the most significant rewilding success stories in Italy.
How long is a visit to Murgia Materana Archaeological Park?
Set aside roughly ~180 min for Murgia Materana Archaeological Park. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Murgia Materana Archaeological Park worth your time?
Murgia Materana Archaeological Park is among the 15 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Matera, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Matera
Hear the story of Murgia Materana Archaeological Park
Preview the Matera tour free in the Gingerguide app.