Grottole

Grottole is an Italian town of about 2,000 inhabitants in the province of Matera. Located on the top of the Motta hill, slightly detached from the town, the castle of Grottole is said to have been built at the request of the Lombard prince Sichinolfo of Salerno in 851. The church of San Rocco, also known as the church of Santa Maria La Grotta, is dedicated to the patron saint of Grottole. Inside, in the main nave, there is a precious polyptych by the artist Pietro Antonio Ferro, dating back to the seventeenth century and depicting The Seven corporal works of mercy. In the historic centre, you will also find the remains of the Church of SS.Luca and Giuliano, commonly known as the Diruta Church. The church however remained unfinished and was hit by a series of earthquakes as well as by various fires. It is now an evocative and monumental ruin that rises above the village.