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Excursion to the Gravina di Matera and the Bat Cave

New To The Site! Matera, Italy
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from US$23.49 per person

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Rock church of San Nicola all'Ofra.
Panoramic view over the ravine.
The corridor of the rock church.
The viewpoint over the ravine of Matera.
Calcarenite, a clastic sedimentary rock rich in marine fossils, testifies that this vast limestone block was submerged by the sea until the Cretaceous geological period.

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3 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
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Instant confirmation

Overview

A panoramic excursion in rocky habitats, flanking the Gravina di Matera and its stream which extends for 20 km, from the foot of the city of Matera, made famous for its Sassi and declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.
We will follow the stream along the ridge of one side of the ravine, enjoying the landscapes of the Murgia Materana Regional Park.
First by exploring the rock church of San Nicola all'Ofra, a farmhouse with its rooms dug into the cliff that communicate with each other: tunnels, stairways, cisterns, churches, developing on 3 levels of height.
And then the karst Bat Cave, among the oldest evidence of human life in this area, a series of corridors, a breeding site for flying mammals, a place that hides the treasure of King Barbarossa between history and legend and where thanks research carried out in recent centuries revealed Paleolithic tools and fossils of extinct animals, such as the cave bear.

What's Included

  • Private transportation
  • Pick-up

    Meeting and Pickup

    Pickup point
    Pickup details

    Using the Ferrovie del Nord Barese trains from Bari airport and the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane trains from Bari station, it is possible to reach Matera, where I can reach you.

    OR
    Meeting point

    Piazza delle Costellazioni
    75100 Matera MT, Italy

    Show on Google Maps

    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    What To Expect

    Gravina di Matera

    This ravine of karst origin and carved over time by its torrent extends for almost 20 kilometres, from the foot of the city of Matera, made famous for its Sassi (houses dug into the calcarenite and used for millennia by the locals) and declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.The ravine rich in caves, once strategically inhabited by the local population, flows southwards and touches the town of Montescaglioso, then flows into the Bradano river and finally flows into the Ionian Sea.We will go up the path of the stream along the ridge of one side of the ravine, enjoying the landscapes of the Murgia Materana Regional Park.
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    1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

    Chiesa Rupestre di San Nicola all'Ofra

    The journey continues and reaches the rock church of San Nicola all'Ofra, a farmhouse with its rooms dug into the cliff that communicate with each other: tunnels, stairways, cisterns, churches, frescoes, developing on 3 levels of height.The cluster of caves overlooks the ravine of Matera and the stream that crosses it.A very suggestive place, in a breathtaking landscape, where the steep rocky walls also represent the typical habitat for the rare black stork, a wonderful bird at risk of extinction, which for some years has sensationally returned to nesting in the Lucanian territory.
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    1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

    Grotta dei Pipistrelli

    A complex of karst caves composed of large entrances and long, narrow tunnels, an important breeding site for fascinating flying mammals.In this place where research had already previously been carried out to find the legendary treasure of King Barbarossa, in the 19th century the local archaeologist Domenico Ridola found Paleolithic tools, ceramics, tombs with skeletons and fossils of extinct animals: such as the ancient ox and the 'cave bear.Today exhibited in the Domenico Ridola National Archaeological Museum of Matera:
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    1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

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    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

    Frequently Asked Questions

    (7)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Excursion to the Gravina di Matera and the Bat Cave?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST). Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

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    Activity code: C-238654P8


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    Frequently Asked Questions (7)

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.

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    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Excursion to the Gravina di Matera and the Bat Cave?
    A:
    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).
    Apr 2025
    Q: What's included in the price?
    A:
    The following is included:
    • Private transportation.
    • Pick-up.
    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
    A:

    This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
    A:

    The minimum age to participate is 2. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

    Apr 2025
    Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
    A:

    If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

    If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

    Apr 2025
    Q: Is this an accessible tour?
    A:

    Accessibility information for the Excursion to the Gravina di Matera and the Bat Cave is as follows:

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    Apr 2025
    Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
    A:

    Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Excursion to the Gravina di Matera and the Bat Cave will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

     

     

    Mar 2024

    What's Included

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    • Private transportation
    • Pick-up

    Additional Info

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

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    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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    Free Cancellation

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    100% refund
    No refund

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).
    • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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