Things to do in Matera

No. 1 of Night Attractions in Basilicata

Matera

Matera is a stone city with a history of human habitation dating back to prehistoric times, considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world. Its soul lies in the "Sassi" cave dwellings that cascade along the canyon: grayish-white limestone caves nested within each other, descending along the slope. Wandering through the stone alleys of the Sassi district is like entering a labyrinth; around any corner, you might stumble upon a medieval cave church—this area is dotted with hundreds of rock-hewn churches, and places like the Rupestrian Church of Santa Lucia still retain Byzantine-style frescoes. The Cave Dwelling Museum in the Sasso Caveoso district restores the daily life of a family living in a cave in the past, with straw mattresses, stoves, and animal pens arranged as they were in the old days. Hiking through the Gravina Canyon and crossing the suspension bridge to the Murgia Plateau reveals a landscape resembling a wilderness; the Murgia Timone viewpoint faces the entire cave complex and is a popular spot for watching the sunset. This stone city is also a filming location for many movies; "The Passion of the Christ," "Ben-Hur," "Wonder Woman," and "No Time to Die" have all set their scenes here. The Festa della Bruna, which has continued for hundreds of years, is held every midsummer, and the parade of the papier-mâché float is a highly anticipated traditional event in the stone city.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Basilicata

Sassi di Matera

Sassi di Matera is a vast, ancient cave settlement carved into the cliffs along the Gravina River canyon. The history of human habitation here dates back to the Paleolithic era, and it is considered one of the earliest human settlements in Italy. The entire cave area consists of two main districts, Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso. Dwellings, churches, and even animal pens were carved directly into the soft limestone rock, with roofs often serving as streets for neighbors, and stone houses cascading down the entire valley slope. Historically, local farmers and herders carved caves into the rock face to live in, gradually developing into a permanent village. Due to poor living conditions within the caves, most residents moved to the new city, and the old district fell into decline until it was restored and redeveloped at the end of the 20th century. Today, as you stroll through the stone alleys, you can enter cave dwelling museums that recreate the daily life of farmers from the past, visit hundreds of rock-hewn churches scattered throughout the area—many of which still retain frescoes from the Middle Ages—and find that many caves have been converted into hotels, restaurants, and shops. Because the landscape of the mountain city resembles ancient Jerusalem, it has frequently been chosen as a filming location, with movies such as "The Passion of the Christ," "Wonder Woman," and "No Time to Die" all filmed here. The Sasso Caveoso district is closer to the original cave form, with most of the rock-hewn churches and cave dwelling museums concentrated there, while the Sasso Barisano district has undergone more restoration and has a more orderly appearance. At dusk, head to the Piazzetta Pascoli viewpoint or look back from the Murgia Plateau on the opposite bank; the expanse of caves filling the valley slope in the sunset and lights is an iconic image of Matera.

Cathedral Basilica of Matera “Most Holy Mary of the Bruna”

Cathedral Basilica of Matera “Most Holy Mary of the Bruna” is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Matera-Irsina. Built in the 13th century, it is a Romanesque-style building. The cathedral is very prominent. It is located on the highest point of the city, and the old town is divided into two parts by the cathedral. A rose window can be seen on the facade, and the decorative patterns on the archway feature a Byzantine style. The cathedral also has a bell tower.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Basilicata

Long Cistern

is a unique attraction in the city of Matera, in the Basilicata region of Italy, located beneath this ancient city and showcasing Matera's rich historical and cultural heritage. It is an ancient cistern system built hundreds of years ago, which was used to collect and store rainwater to cope with periods of drought. Today, has become a popular tourist attraction, allowing visitors to get a glimpse of the wonders of this underground world. This cistern system consists of a complex network of underground passages and caves, and visitors can explore these historic underground structures with a guided tour. The air inside is fresh and cool, and ancient stone carvings and architectural traces can be seen on the walls. It is not only a place that showcases the history and ingenuity of Matera, but also an important window into understanding the local lifestyle and water resource management.

Belvedere Pascoli

Chiese Rupestri

In the Sassi of Matera, there are several Chiese Rupestri scattered throughout, where the interior rock walls of the caves are adorned with stunning colorful frescoes that feature a Byzantine style.

Parco Regionale della Murgia Materana

Cave House in the Sassi of Matera

Sasso Caveoso

Visite Guidate Matera/Visitare Matera