Matera Travel Guide
Towns and cities in Puglia
Largely carved out of and built with tuff stone, Marera is a city like no other, with an incredible history and a deep sense of spirituality, purity and authenticity. The city boasts unique ancient cave dwellings, or sassi, that offer a glimpse into a past that stretches back thousands of years. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former European Capital of Culture, Matera enchants visitors with its dramatic landscapes, remarkable rock churches, and a warm sense of hospitality.
About the area
Matera is one of the most unique destinations in Italy, known for its ancient cave dwellings, or sassi, which date back to prehistoric times. These remarkable structures, carved into the soft tuff rock, were inhabited until the mid-20th century and have since been restored to showcase their historical significance. Visitors can explore the city’s narrow, winding streets, discover hidden churches adorned with frescoes, and experience the vibrant cultural life of the city. A favoured location for filmmakers, Matera’s rich artistic heritage, delicious cuisine, and unique architecture make it a must-visit destination on your trip to Puglia.
Things to do in Matera
- Explore the sassi cave dwellings: During the Middle Ages, Matera witnessed the arrival monastic communities who chose to live in the sassi, transforming the grottoes into dwellings, crypts and even churches. Today, the sassi area has been totally recovered and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area extends along a small canyon called Gravina, which forms the oldest part of the city. They are divided into three main groups: the Civita, which was the first urban nucleus, the Sasso Caveoso and the Sasso Barisano. If you want to fully understand how people used to live in the sassi, head to the Casa Grotta, a kind of mini-museum that recreates the atmosphere of a typical sasso dwelling.
- Visit the rupestrian churches: The rupestrian churches, built into the tuff rock by hundreds of monks over the ages, are extremely evocative and feature many beautiful frescoes that are considered to be some of the greatest expressions of rock art in the world. Particularly worth visiting are the Church of Santa Maria della Valle and the Crypt of Original Sin.
- See the Case Cisterna: Learn about Matera's ingenious rainwater collection system by visiting the cisterns that supplied water to the cave dwellings, a testament to the resourcefulness of its former inhabitants.
- Enjoy local crafts and shopping: Wandering around Matera, you will come across numerous lively street stalls displaying a rich array of Matera’s colourful whistles, papier-mâché objects, and the traditional terracotta cuckoos, symbols of fertility. And if you’re in the area in the Spring we recommend you check out the programme for the annual jazz festival, Gezziamoci, which attracts international artists from all over the world.
- Indulge in local cuisine: Don’t miss the wonderful local cuisine, with its delicious oven-baked bread, mouth-watering cheeses, and a huge variety of home-made pasta best eaten with a bottle or two of Matera’s local DOC wines!
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