A Quick Guide To Italy’s Cave City Of Matera
Updated January 2024, A Quick Guide To Italy’s Cave City Of Matera was originally published in June 2020
Rising from the “shame of Italy” to becoming a European Capital of Culture in 2019, Basilicata’s cave city of Matera has come a long way.
Start here: The Southern Italy road trip itinerary
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A Quick History Of Matera
Believed to be the third oldest continuously inhabited human settlements, scholars estimate that Matera was settled during the Paleolithic Era in the 10th millennium BC.
The inhabitants of ancient Matera bored out caves in the walls of the Gavrina River canyon, creating a complex of caves that served as dwellings. These cave dwellings would go on to become the two Sassi of Matera.
Matera would go on to be occupied by a number of entities over the years, including the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, and more.
By the late 19th century the outlook of Matera wasn’t looking so good. Due to frequent outbreaks of disease, poor sanitation, and relentless poverty that plagued a generation, the inhabitants of Matera were evacuated out of the Sassi in 1952 and into modern housing nearby.
In the 1980s the revival of the Sassi began, with the realization of historic tourism potential in Matera.
Looking for other places to go in Basilicata? See why you need to visit Castelmezzano
Things To Do In Matera
Visit The Sassi di Matera
The Sassi di Matera is the main attraction in Matera, of course, home to the ancient cave dwellings that comprise the Sassi. Sasso (Plural: Sassi) translates out to stone in Italian, hence the name. There are actually two Sassi in Matera, Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso- both worthy of getting lost in.
Explore The Parco della Murgia Materana
You can hike from the Sassi into the Gravina Gorge to explore the Parco della Murgia Materana which includes many abandoned Paleolithic caves.
Casa Noha
This is heralded as the best way to start your visit to Matera, but unfortunately, after taking too much time exploring other sites in Basilicata we arrived after it closed. Learn about the history of Matera and the difficulties its inhabitants have faced over time through a small exhibit inside a 16th century home.
Casa Noha Entry: €5
Setting out to explore more of South Italy? See why you need to have the Amalfi Coast on the itinerary
Museo della Scultura
Set in the 16th century Palazzo Pomarici, this palace gives way to a lovely museum with several cultures and contemporary art pieces.
Museo della Scultura Entry: €5
Check Out The Cathedrals & Churches
Matera is home to countless churches in its labyrinth-like Sassi. Don’t miss the Santa Maria di Idris Church, carved right into a rock. Other notable churches include the San Pietro Caveoso, San Petro Barisano, and Madonna della Virtu.
Going to Puglia too? Don’t miss Alberobello
Where To Sleep In Matera
Budget
The Rock Hostel
| Booking.com |
Midrange
Stone Rooms
| Booking.com | Agoda.com |
Splurge
Locanda di San Martino Hotel & Thermae Romanae
| Booking.com | Hotels.com |
Wanna save €€€ on accommodation? I recommend booking a room in nearby Castellaneta or Massafra.
Have Any Questions About Visiting Matera?
Ask in the comments section below.
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Southern Italy Road Trip: From Heel To The Toe
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A Quick Guide To Syracuse & Ortygia Island, Sicily
A Quick Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
A Quick Guide To Italy’s Cave City Of Matera
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20 Off The Beaten Path Destinations In Italy
The Top 18 Things To Do In Naples, Italy: The Naples Travel Guide
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A Quick Guide To Alberobello + 5 Things To Do In Alberobello
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Two Tornados, A Road Trip, & Italian Citizenship
Hello Nicole, wondering how much it cost to get your citizenship? We hadn’t heard of this process and we will check into it. We are planning a trip late Feb thru early April, and very much appreciate your blog. Thanks so much for providing so much GREAT information!
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
I ended up paying around 2500€ for a lawyer to assist in oraganizing my documents but you can do it on your own as well. Otherwise the only other cost was the documents (birth/marriage/death certificates) necessary and the cost of the apostilles and translations for each of those docs.
Thank you for this informative article, I hope once covid finally slows I can visit.