Bike trip to the lake with a visit to the Crypt of the Original Sin

About this tour

Cycle through the countryside near Matera to the WWF Wildlife Oasis, then explore the frescoed Crypt of Original Sin, a Byzantine chapel carved into the rock. You'll finish with local wine and handmade taralli crackers at a nearby farmhouse before returning to the city by minivan. The 6-hour route suits all fitness levels and includes bike hire, entry fees, and refreshments.

Highlights

• Pedal to a protected wetland sanctuary near Matera
• Visit 9th-century frescoed Byzantine crypt carved underground
• Taste local wine and homemade taralli at a working farm
• Return journey by minivan, no cycling required
• Suitable for families with children and varying abilities
• Flat terrain, manageable pace throughout

What to expect

You'll start on two wheels, riding through rural Basilicata toward the WWF oasis where bird life and wetland habitat are quietly impressive. After time there, you'll push on to the Crypt—a low, intimate space with medieval frescoes still visible on plastered walls. The air feels cool and still underground. Back at the farmhouse, you'll sit down with a glass of local wine and eat crispy taralli made that morning from flour, water, salt. The minivan collects you afterward, returning you unhurried to town.

Good to know