The cave church of Saint Lucia alle Malve is the first female monastic settlement of the Benedictine Order, dating back to the 'eighth century, and the most important in the history of the city of Matera. A community that through its three successive monastic offices of Saint Lucia alle Malve, of Saint Lucia and Saint Lucia to Civita to the Plan it was an integral part of Matera life by following the historical and urban development over a millennium.