stone roads - Viaggiare in Puglia
Transcript
stone roads - Viaggiare in Puglia
STONE ROADS Itineraries through rocky sites and villages of Apulia and Basilicata Madonna delle Tre Porte rock-hewn sanctuary, Matera Madonna delle Tre Porte rock-hewn sanctuary, situated in the Murgia Timone district, owes its name (Our Lady of the Three Doors) to the three entrance arches that led to three separate oratories. Nowadays only two of the three apsed naves are still standing, as the outer one has gradually collapsed due to erosion.Stunning frescos decorate the aisle: a Deesis with Christ, the Virgin and St. John, and a depiction of the Madonna del melograno (Madonna of the Pomegranate), attributed to Maestro di Miglionico, a fresco artist popular in Lucania in the second half of the 15th century. The apse of the inner nave hosts a Crucifixion, while the wall of the same bears a remarkable Annunciation (XV century), and a 13th century Byzantine-style Our Lady in Majesty (Kyriotissa) sitting on the throne with Baby Jesus. Replicas of the stolen frescos help visitors to have an overall picture of the cycle and thoroughly experience its former dramatic splendour. The church is also embellished by some small niches and by a number of carved crosses. Similarly as in other rock-hewn complexes in the area, the remains of a medieval pecchiara (apiary) are found in the proximity. Contacts Address: Municipality: Province: Phone: Website: E-mail: Contact person: Via Sette Dolori - km 583 Strada Statale 7 direzione Taranto, Contrada Murgia Timone Matera Matera (+39)0835336166 www.parcomurgia.it [email protected] Ente Parco della Murgia Materana Opening hours Always open: Notes: no open by reservation STONE ROADS Itineraries through rocky sites and villages of Apulia and Basilicata Services Information: Guided visits: yes yes Other information Disabled access: Admission: Notes: no on payment The following services are available: Signposts Refreshment point / Picnic area Guided tours, also in English More details In 1962, as the church was totally neglected (it was used by shepherds as a shelter), most of the interesting frescos were detached and stolen by unknown thieves. It was later ascertained that the action had been carried out by a German history of art teacher, Rudolf Kubesh, and two of his pupils (the story is also documented by the 1963-64 press review at Jazzo Gattini visitor's centre, and tracked during the visit). The frescos are now exhibited in Palazzo Lanfranchi. Iris. Soc. Coop. Soc., a Census by the Progetto Interregionale di Sviluppo Turistico (Interregional Tourism Development Project) “Itinerari interregionali tra siti e villaggi del patrimonio della civiltà rupestre” (interregional itinerary through sites and villages of the rupestrian civilization) Updated on: 10/06/2014