Matera is the capital of the Matera province in the Basilicata region of Italy. It boasts the sassi: well-preserved rock-cut settlements that are a World Heritage site and one of Southern Italy's many important attractions.
Matera is a fairly big city of around 60,000 people. One of its quarters is the old city. Just outside the old city are the Sassi - cave houses dug into the limestone rocks. The sassi are located on both sides of a valley. On the north side the Sasso Barisano have been partially commercially developed as offices and housing. The Sasso Caveoso, on the south side, is the most historically interesting.
Matera is a "European Capital of Culture" for 2019, an honour it shares with Plovdiv. Be prepared for huge tour groups clogging up the narrow alleys and stairways in the old town, especially on Sundays and holidays.
- Old city. From the station walk down via Roma to Piazza Veneto and take the stairs down into the old city.
- Chiesa San Pietro Barisano.
- Matera Cathedral, Piazza Duomo, 7. Roman Catholic church with a 90-m-high spire that stands out in the Matera skyline.
- San Pietro Caveoso.
- Caveoso cave churches. Entrance to the four main ones is €6.
- Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista.
Old city. From the station walk down via Roma to Piazza Veneto and take the stairs down into the old city.
Chiesa San Pietro Barisano.
Matera Cathedral, Piazza Duomo, 7. Roman Catholic church with a 90-m-high spire that stands out in the Matera skyline.
San Pietro Caveoso.
Caveoso cave churches. Entrance to the four main ones is €6.
Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista.
- Hike in the hills around Matera. For example walk down from the north east of the city, cross the ravine and hike back up the hill to the Belvedere di Murgia Timone. for a view of the city from the other side.
- The Women's Fiction Festival is held late every September in the Sassi District, and attracts an international contingent of writers, agents and editors.
- Guided tours, +39 3287666621. Daily 09:00-18:00. Join a guided tour with a private guide or in a group
- Ape nei Sassi, Via Casalnuovo 329, +39 3294658589. Panoramic tour with Ape car. €15-25.
Hike in the hills around Matera. For example walk down from the north east of the city, cross the ravine and hike back up the hill to the Belvedere di Murgia Timone. for a view of the city from the other side.
The Women's Fiction Festival is held late every September in the Sassi District, and attracts an international contingent of writers, agents and editors.
Guided tours, +39 3287666621. Daily 09:00-18:00. Join a guided tour with a private guide or in a group
Ape nei Sassi, Via Casalnuovo 329, +39 3294658589. Panoramic tour with Ape car. €15-25.
There are many restaurants in the old city as well as outside.
- Cafe Stone Age close to St. Antonius church in th Caveoso has a nice little terrace with flowers in pots and cold beers from all over the world.
Cafe Stone Age close to St. Antonius church in th Caveoso has a nice little terrace with flowers in pots and cold beers from all over the world.
If you hire a tour guide, be sure it is a licensed one. Many people there might stop you, and attempt to offer unofficial tourist services. Don't trust them much, they only care about getting money from you.