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