A fascinating Benedictine site dating to the Lombard period, the Cripta del Peccato Originale (Crypt of Original Sin) houses well-preserved 8th-century frescoes – depicting vivid scenes from both Old and New Testaments – that have earned it a reputation as the 'Sistine Chapel' of Matera's cave churches. It's 7km south of Matera: all visits must be booked through the website, then joined at the ticket office (at Azienda Agricola Dragone on Contrada Pietrapenta) 30 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time.
![Italy, Basilicata, Matera, Crypt of the Original Sin. Detail. Bishop and diacon. (Photo by Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2019-06/9237d07930e3d82c57d392f29271ac29-cripta-del-peccato-originale.jpg?w=1920&h=640&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cedges&auto=format&q=75)
Mondadori via Getty Images
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