The church was originally a hypogeum or rock-hewn sanctuary before the Baroque renovation.
The facade's design is attributed to the architect Vito Valentino.
Excavations under the church revealed medieval frescoes that are among the oldest in the city.
It is situated on the site where a much older church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul once stood.
The interior contains significant oil paintings by the local artist Nicola Ciletti.
The Chiesa di San Francesco d'Assisi is a prominent 18th-century Baroque church located in the heart of Matera. Its striking facade, reconstructed in the mid-1700s, features a central niche housing a statue of the Immaculate Conception flanked by Saint Francis and Saint Anthony. The interior follows a Latin cross plan with a single nave and deep chapels decorated with ornate stucco work and 18th-century paintings. Beneath the current structure lie remains of an older rock-hewn church, formerly dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, which dates back to the early Christian period. The site integrates seamlessly into the dense urban fabric of Matera’s central square. It remains an active place of worship serving the local community.
Position yourself in the center of Piazza San Francesco for a symmetrical wide-angle view of the late-Baroque facade.
Visit during late morning when natural light illuminates the ornate stucco work.
Look for the entrance to the crypt area to see the transition between Baroque architecture and earlier rock-carved foundations.
Combine your visit with a walk through the adjacent Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
Do not enter the church while a wedding or funeral ceremony is in progress.
Closed to tourists during scheduled religious services.
Modest dress is required; shoulders and knees must be covered. Maintain silence during services.
