Santuario di Santa Maria della Palomba (Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Palomba), Matera

Perched on a rocky spur overlooking the dramatic Gravina of Matera, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Palomba was erected in 1580 atop an earlier rock-cut sanctuary-the Crypt of Santa Maria della Palomba-a small chapel that once housed a revered Byzantine-style fresco of the Madonna with Child. Its name derives from a dove (“palomba”) sculpted on the portal, symbolizing the Holy Spirit.

The façade draws the eye with its refined Romanesque design: a radiant rose window, a sculpted tuff relief of the Holy Family-crafted by Giulio Persio-and a niche containing a statue of the Archangel Michael. A slender bell tower, or campanile a vela, stands gracefully to the side.

Stepping inside, visitors encounter a single-nave layout crowned by a barrel vault, flanked by ornate chapels filled with statues and frescoes on both sides. Behind the high altar is a striking Madonna Odigitria fresco dating from the 13th–14th centuries. From the presbytery, a corridor opens to a later-excavated rock-cut chapel used to welcome pilgrims, notably those arriving from nearby Puglia.

Originally built following a miraculous event in July 1579, the sanctuary replaced the old Madonna della Cava chapel at the request of Archbishop Sigismondo Saraceno, as a means to foster the Marian devotion inspired by the miracle and its site.

For tourists exploring Matera beyond the famed Sassi, the Sanctuary offers a rich melding of art, faith, and geology. Its harmonious façade, spiritual ambiance, and rock-hewn chapel create a memorable experience steeped in history and devotion.