Santa Maria de Idris

We drove to Matera in Basilicata, a hilly region to the West of Puglia. This is one of several churches hewn into the rock. Another, which we visited is Santa Lucia alle Malve named after Saint Lucy.  I wanted to take some pictures inside, because my eldest daughter is Lucy, but the strict "no Foto" policy, prevalent in Italy, impeded all but one interior shot taken surreptitiously as the vigilant attendant (seen at the left edge of the picture) nipped out. An online picture of St Lucy is here.

Matera is one of the world's oldest towns, inhabited continuously for around 7000 years. Many of its residents lived in very poor conditions in sassi - cave dwellings carved into the rock. Many of these remain but living conditions have been dramatically improved since the 1950s. A more modern city has grown-up around the ancient areas. Matera is to be European Capital of Culture in 2019.