Santa Maria de Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone

Santa Maria de Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone are two rock churches located in Matera, Italy, which were once quite distinct and separate, but which are now connected by a corridor which makes them communicating.

The churches stand on a tuffaceous rock that dominates the Sasso Caveoso, also known as Monterrone.

Santa Maria de Idris is built half in rock and half following the collapse of its barrel vault in the 16th century.

The interior of the church is extremely simple and was once adorned with iconoclastic frescoes, many of which have been lost due to looting and neglect.

However, some frescoes still visible include depictions of Christ Pantocrator, Archangel Michael, St. Nicholas and St. Onofrio.

This church, together with the rock church of Santa Lucia Alle Malve and the rock church of San Pietro Barisano, is managed by the OLTRE L'ARTE Cooperative Society.