I left Matera very early in the morning and drove three hours to Piscina Naturale di Marina Serra. It’s a natural pool formed by erosion of the surrounding rocks.
When I arrived, the street was pretty much empty and there were a lot of parking spaces. But they were all marked by blue lines which I learned earlier meant paid parking. But I wasn’t sure how to pay for it as I didn’t see any meters or payment machines nearby. I was very confused but didn’t have time to figure it out and there was no one around to ask. I decided not to risk it and continued driving until I saw a tower around the corner (in the third picture below). There was a little space near the tower for a couple of cars but it didn’t look like an official parking lot. I desperately wanted to check out the pool. So I decided to take a risk and parked my car there briefly and ran to the pool.
I was so worried about the car that I only spent a few minutes there.
After that I drove to Torre Sant’Andrea.
Again, there were lots of paid parking but I wasn’t sure how to pay. Since it was pouring at the time, I waited in the car until the rain let up a little.
I decided to look elsewhere for parking and followed Google Map direction to a small parking lot. It seemed to be some kind of a shop and someone happened to come out. So I went to him and asked how I could pay for parking. He immediately replied “No. No. It’s free.”
Just what I wanted to hear!
So I left my car there and started my hike.
Length: 7.47 mi
Elev. gain: 384 ft
Time: 2:57:29
The hike:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-ccc3667–410
Shortly into the hike, the rock formations came into view and it was just amazing.
Lots of arches and caves.
Due to the rain, the trail was very wet and muddy.
I was following the trail along the shore but it was blocked at some point. I had to take a detour but was lost for a bit.
Cave of Poetry is another popular natural swimming pool in the summer but pretty much deserted when I was there.
After Cave of Poetry, I started heading back by taking the main street to avoid the muddy trail, especially since it started raining again.
Passed some wildflower fields.
Torre Sant’Andrea looked even more stunning under the blue sky.
Back to where I started!
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