Sanctuaries of Matera and Surroundings

After breakfast departure for Tursi. The Saint Mary of Anglona Sanctuary, a national monument since 1931, is the most significant place of worship in the Turks-Lagonegro Diocese. It was elevated to the Pontifical Lower Basilica by the Holy Father John Paul II on May 17, 1999 in memory of the Synod of Bishops.

The monument is located on a hill at 263 meters above sea level, which is 13 km away.

In 1400, at the time of Queen Jovan I, a shrewd army soldier burned it up completely destroying it and spared only the Cathedral.

The current structure of the Cathedral of Anglona dates back to the 16th century. XI and the sec. XII and constitutes the extension of a first church dating back to VII-VIII sec, which corresponds to the present oratory chapel.

The construction, in tufa and travertine, has architectural elements of great importance. The apsidal exterior is the most chromatic and beautiful part of the whole monument, there are adornments, slats, hanging arches, shelves and a central window decorated with columns. On the exterior walls a large number of molds with relief figures of unknown origin create a beautiful chromatic effect. Even the more loud roof and the harmony of the volumes give the complex a pleasing and impressive appearance. Departure for Montescaglioso to visit the S. Michele Arcangelo Abbey, the most important building in Montescaglioso, one of the most significant in Basilicata. It rises on the ancient Greek acropolis whose remains, urban structures and necropolis (VII century - Roman age) were found in cloisters and gardens. The origins of the worship must be traced back to the medieval presence of Benedictine monasticism, with a probable foundation around the year 893. Dinner on your own in Montescaglioso and return to Matera for overnight stays.

After breakfast, check out and continue with a visit to the Cathedral of Matera, dedicated to Our Lady of Bruna, patron of Matera, and Sant'Eustachio, stands on the hill of Civita. The building was built between 1230 and 1270, with stone from the quarries of Vaglia, and is one of the later examples of the Apulian Romanesque style. The facade has a beautiful portal, decorated with interwoven carvings, and a beautiful Romanesque rose window with sixteen rays, symbol of the wheel of life. On the right side there are two other minor portals, divided by a window. Remarkable is also the bell tower. An inscription on the lintel of the door defines the church as the "house that brightens the eyes".

The interior, a Latin cross, has three naves and five side windows. On the presbytery, the lantern ends in a dome. Beautiful is the wooden choir work of 1453 Tantino, artist from Ariano Irpino. About the interior decoration it can be noted that the Cathedral is affected by the various artistic phases that followed until the eighteenth century.

Of great value, at the first altar of the left aisle, the fresco of the Madonna della Bruna (XII century), one of the many frescoes that covered the walls of the Cathedral; then the Chapel of the Annunziata, the late sixteenth century, work of Giulio Persio, son of Altobello. 

Free lunch and in the afternoon, we will continue with the visit of the church of San Giovanni Battista, considered the architectural jewel of Matera during the Middle Ages for its refined architectural composition and fine decoration. Currently we can not perceive this whole because the current appearance that presents us is actually the side facade, as the main one was incorporated in 1610 in the construction of the' Hospital (next building).

Formerly known as Santa Maria La Nova was intended for the nine penitential nuns of Accon brought to Matera by Bishop Andrew before 1193 from Palestine, but was called Santa Maria ai Foggiali from the Latin name "Fovea" that is hole, of which the zone was rich for storing foodstuffs such as cereals and legumes. 

Release of the rental car in Bari and end of services.