The largest rock church in Matera dating from the 12th century. Only the facade is visible from outside; the rest is carved entirely into rock. Features majolica floor, 15th-century Annunciation fresco, and underground putridarium (corpse draining room).
Single ticket €3, combined ticket €6 for three churches
Allow at least an hour to explore all levels. The underground putridarium is fascinating but may be unsettling for some. No photography allowed inside.
faq.subtitle Church of San Pietro Barisano
A putridarium is an underground vault where monks' corpses were placed on stone seats to dry and decompose before the bones were moved. This was a common practice in Southern Italian monasteries.
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