📜 Matera: A History of Stone and Survival

Being one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited settlements, Matera had a dramatic history that saw it rise from a cradle of civilization to a symbol of poverty, and finally, to a UNESCO World Heritage site nowadays #italy #matera #solo 🗿 Here are something about Matera you should know before going: Archaeological evidence confirms cave dwellings in Matera (the Sassi) were first settled in the Palaeolithic Era. Early residents simply enlarged natural limestone caves for shelter. In the 7th and 8th centuries, the caves became a refuge for monks (including Benedictine and Basilian), who carved out rock-hewn churches (Chiese Rupestri) decorated with precious Byzantine-style frescoes. By the 20th century, the Sassi, lacking sanitation and electricity, had devolved into overcrowded, disease-ridden slums. In the 1950s, the Italian government deemed the area a national "shame" and forcibly relocated 15,000–20,000 residents to modern housing, leaving the ancient Sassi a ghost town. But then, recognition of the Sassi's unique historical value led to extensive restoration beginning in the 1980s. Today, many caves are renovated to modern standards, preserving their historical façade while offering contemporary comfort. Matera's unique, ancient landscape has made it a cinematic favourite, often called the "Second Jerusalem." Also, the city’s steep streets and dramatic backdrop were the location for the thrilling opening chase sequence in the James Bond film, No Time to Die (2021). Last but not least, the city is famous for its unique, horn-shaped Matera bread (Pane di Matera) an EU-protected product (IGP) known for its local wheat and long shelf life.