The crypt of the Original Sin (Matera)

Matera is invaded by tourists since it has been appointed European Capital of Culture 2019.

Matera fully deserves this significant recognition.

In fact, Matera has one of the widest Italian cultural heritage.

An example? The rupestrian churches.

According to Le Chiese Rupestri di Puglia, written by Franco Dell’Aquila and Aldo Messina, Matera has around 150 rupestrian churches, which represents the biggest rupestrian heritage between Apulia and Basilicata.

I had red on La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, about the increasing interest of Italian and foreigner tourists about the crypt of “peccato originale”.

This news made me tremendously curious.

Therefore, the last week end I set off to Matera to admire it.

Lucia, my partner, has called ArteZeta (320.5350910; info@artezeta.it) in order to enquiry about the access.

The customer service advised that the meeting point was the oil station located 10 km. next Matera coming from Altamura, on the way towards Potenza.

The ticket costs 8 euros.

The meeting time was at 5 pm.

We arrived few minutes earlier.

Some additional tourists were waiting for the guide, who actually arrived at 5 o’clock.

Therefore, after a brief chat, all get on car and follow the guide.

After few miles, finally we arrive at a canyon.

Parked the car under an olive tree, 100 metres and we’re in front of the crypt.

“La cripta del peccato originale dates back to between 8^th and 9^th century. Therefore, it is the oldest frescos among the rupestrian churches in Matera. It has been discovered 52 years ago”. The guide says.

“The cripta has been inhabited for centuries by shepherds, who used to keep in their sheepfold, light fire  and make cheese”. He continues.

The frescos have been made during the Longobard era, when they were settled in Benevento. However, the frescos have evident Byzantine’s influence.

The aim of these ancient artists who painted it, was to illustrate to illiterate people some of the most relevant part of the bible.

We see the spot of the peccato originale, a snake twisted around the tree, where the fruit passed by Eva to Adam is a fig rather than an apple.

The fig can be found in few other Christian iconography such as the Cappella Sistina’s frescos, painted by Michelangelo.

So, let’s get back to the crypt.

The Holy Virgin is represented with mellow eyes, typical of the Byzantine’s iconography.

Another intriguing aspect is that some of the Saints have six fingers, just to emphasize the fact that human beings are imperfect.

I am glad for having come here to appreciate this amazing place.

We leave the crypt not before having a brief discussion with the guide, whom I give the address of my blog.

We leave the crypt, then we stop after few hundred metres away: we get off the car to visit Dragone, a local wine maker.

After having entered in this renewed masseria, we are offered few glasses of wine with cheese by a gentle woman.

I don’t like cheese, but I definetely like good wine.

We homage the conviviality by buying two bottles of red wine “Il dono”, ten euros each.

Lucia is merry. I’m fine, ready to drive back home.