The Crypt of the Original Sin (Cripta del Peccato Originale) is an early medieval rock church in the countryside outside Matera. Set in a natural limestone cave above a ravine, it offers a quieter encounter with the region’s religious heritage than the better-known churches of the Sassi.
Its remarkable frescoes, generally dated to the 8th or 9th century, include scenes from Genesis depicting the creation of Adam and Eve and the temptation in the garden. Other paintings portray the Virgin, apostles and archangels. Attributed to an anonymous artist known as the Painter of the Flowers of Matera, the cycle draws on a mix of artistic influences from early medieval southern Italy. The richness of the surviving paintings has earned the crypt the nickname “Sistine Chapel of rock art.”
The reds, ochres and floral details are striking against the cave’s uneven walls, while the rural setting helps visitors imagine the monastic landscape in which the paintings were made. The crypt is a short drive from Matera, so a car or taxi is useful. Book ahead and check current visiting arrangements before setting off, as access is controlled to protect the frescoes. Wear sturdy shoes for the uneven ground.