The park houses the Neolithic village of Murgia Timone, which features structural remains from the 6th millennium BC.
Crypt of the Original Sin, located within the park, contains 8th-century frescoes described by art historians as the 'Sistine Chapel of rupestrian art'.
The landscape is home to the lesser kestrel, a small raptor that nests in the cavities of the cliff faces.
The park's 'jazzi' are stone-walled enclosures specifically designed to shelter sheep from wolves and harsh weather.
Many rock churches within the park were used for agricultural storage or livestock shelter after their religious abandonment, which unintentionally helped preserve the internal structures.
Parco Regionale della Murgia Materana is a protected landscape spanning over 8,000 hectares, defined by a deep limestone canyon carved by the Gravina River. The park contains over 150 rock-hewn churches, some dating back to the Byzantine era, featuring remnants of frescoes and ancient monastic architecture. Its archaeological significance spans from Paleolithic grottos and Neolithic villages to historical pastoral dwellings known as 'jazzi'. The rugged terrain provides a direct visual connection to the Sassi di Matera, the ancient cave-dwelling districts across the gorge. Flora in the park includes rare endemic species such as the Centaurea herderiana. The area is designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its continuous human habitation from the prehistoric period to the present.
The Murgia Timone viewpoint, offering a panoramic frame of the Sassi di Matera skyline.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking boots with good grip as the limestone trails are uneven and slippery.
Carry at least two liters of water, as there are no natural water sources or facilities once you enter the trail network.
Use a GPS-enabled map or follow the marked trail signs closely, as cellular reception is inconsistent in the canyon floor.
Attempting to hike the canyon floor during mid-day in summer; entering restricted, unlit caves without a guide.
Some specific rock churches require pre-booked guided access; individual church openings vary significantly based on conservation status.
Do not touch or lean on frescoes in the rupestrian churches; do not remove stones or archaeological fragments.
