Matera, Italy. If there is a place that makes us curious, that is different, interesting and has been inhabited for thousands of years, it is this one. Travel companions, welcome to Matera!
Let’s get our bearings. We are in the south of Italy, in the area of Basilicata, about 70 kilometers from Bari, or 250 kilometers from Naples.
In our case we chose to spend a night, we had just done a tour of a few days along the Amalfi Coast.
Matera is known for its “Sassi”, ancient neighborhoods carved directly into the limestone rock. These troglodyte homes have been inhabited since prehistoric times, making Matera one of the first cities inhabited by humans.
It is the third oldest inhabited city in the world. Estimated to be 10,000 years old, we can see the transition in the constructions, from caves to different buildings built on top of each other.
Matera was a city plagued by poverty and unhealthiness in the first half of the 20th century, with Italy’s economic hardships following two world wars. In the 1950s, Matera, with no electricity or sanitation, was known as a national shame.
However, this city rose again like a phoenix, included as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. Matera today receives thousands of visitors who want to know its history.
If you feel that this landscape looks familiar to you, it is no coincidence. Matera has been the setting for numerous films, including Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”. Its timeless landscapes have made it a natural film set.
Indice:
What to see in Matera?
If you come to Matera, there are a few places you can’t miss:
The Sassi
The Sassi are divided into two districts that correspond to the natural valleys or inlets: the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, with houses and churches literally carved into the limestone, lively areas with a large number of accommodations, bars, shops, restaurants, craft workshops, and much more.
When walking, especially in the Sasso Caveoso, we recommend wearing shoes with good grip, as some areas may be slippery.
Church of Santa Lucia alle Malve
We will start at the church of Santa Lucia alle Malve since we had the accommodation very close to here.
The rock-cut church of Santa Lucia alle Malve is attached to the first female monastic settlement of the Benedictine order, dating back to the 11th century and the most important in the history of the city of Matera. On the interior walls there are valuable frescoes dating back to the 12th century. The entrance fee is € 3.50
Casa Grotta Vico Solitario
You can continue on to the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario. If you want to see what an authentic peasant dwelling was like before the Sassi di Matera was abandoned, you have these typical troglodyte dwellings with period furniture and tools in the Sasso Caveoso. The entrance fee is €5
Church of Santa María de Idris
Our steps will take us to Piazza Madonna in Idris. Piazza Idris takes its name from the church that is located above, on the rocky spur of Monterrone, in the Sasso Caveoso. Here is the first of a series of fantastic viewpoints that we will find during the walk.
We will continue to the rock-cut church of Santa Maria de Idris. It is located, as we said, in the upper part of Monterrone, a large limestone cliff that rises in the middle of the Sasso Caveoso and dates back to the 12th century. You can reach it by climbing some stairs near the rock-cut church of Santa Lucia alle Malve that we just visited. It is one of the places that will catch our attention even before we enter.
The ancient hermitage is located inside a limestone cliff and houses two ancient monasteries with different religious painting styles. These are the Church of Idris .and the small cave of San Giovanni in Monterrone .The entrance fee is €4 for both.
Church of San Pietro Caveoso
Going down we will now continue through the Church of San Pietro Caveoso, the façade is made of
Baroque style and has three portals. There is no cost to enter.
Just a stone’s throw from the church, in the square of the same name, we find one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Matera, although I can tell you that there are several.
Tibetan Bridge della Gravina and Murgia Materana Park
From here we can go down to the Tibetan Bridge della Gravina and cross the ravine. For what?
To trek through the Murgia Materana park and admire the landscape, see the cave churches, churches carved into the rock, many of them decorated with medieval frescoes. or take photos at the Murgia Timone viewpoint at the end of the road.
Keep in mind that this tour will take time, so perhaps think about doing it at the end after seeing the rest that we are missing in the city and thus do it calmly.
Piazza del Duomo and Matera Cathedral
And now we continue to the cathedral of Matera. We will arrive at Piazza del Duomo and another of the spectacular viewpoints of the city with views of the Sasso Barisano
The Cathedral of Matera is located at the top of it, with spectacular views and an impressive interior.
The cathedral was built in the Apulian Romanesque style in the 13th century on the ridge that forms the highest point of the city of Matera. The ticket price is €3.50.
Piazza del Sedile, Piazza di San Francesco and Piazza Vittorio Veneto
We continue walking towards Piazza San Francesco and there we will see the Church of San Francesco de Assisi, as well as shops and lively bustle. But not before passing through Piazza del Sedile and Palazzo Sedile.
From here we can continue to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the heart of the modern city, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the local atmosphere. And very close by we can go to another of the viewing points, that of the three arches.
As well as visiting the Palombaro Lungo, which is the largest underground water cistern in the city of Matera and is located under the sidewalk of Piazza Vittorio Veneto. We found it closed and did not enter. The entrance fee is € 3
Piazzeta and Belvedere Pascoli
Our steps begin to retrace on this route and we go in search of another viewpoint, the belvedere of the Piazzeta Pascoli.
. And when night falls, Matera is transformed. Soft lights illuminate its stone walls, creating a magical atmosphere that seems to be taken from a dream. For this reason, if you like the atmosphere you are seeing, I advise you to spend a night.
Matera is not just a destination; It is a journey through time, an experience that awakens the senses and fills the heart. Perhaps, after seeing it, it will also be engraved in his memory, as it has remained in ours.
Practical Information
We had unlimited internet connection as Holafly eSIMs always are, since we never travel without having mobile data. Discount coupon: EUROPAACOMPAÑADA5
Travel insurance is essential, we use Iati, we leave you 5% discount.
How to go? In our case we went by car, as we said we came from Vietri sul Mare, they have parking lots before entering the old part of the city since they cannot access it by car.
Near the B&B that we will show you now we had two parking options, one free in Via Lanera and another covered but paid one in Via Pascuale Vena, €1 per hour. We decided to leave it in this covered one since we left the big suitcases inside the car and we went down only with the carry on, as I said it is an option that we often use in towns with cobblestones or where we only go for one night. Find a car for your tour of Italy
By public transport, from Bari by bus in just over an hour, Flixbus makes the journey.
If you want to go more carefree, you have excursions from Bari only to Matera or attached to Alberobello.
We loved the accommodation, we chose to stay in a cave, 19.52 Matera. It was really wonderful, Cecilia was attentive by whatsapp to everything we needed such as parking and received us to give us the rest of the directions.
The room was simply wonderful and it was a pleasure to give ourselves in this city that we loved, including breakfast in a nearby bar.
Dinner, you have several restaurants with a lot of charm on Via Bruno Buozzi which was the street of our accommodation, many are inside caves. We ended up choosing the Radino Restaurant, it was perfect both the atmosphere, the food and the attention.
Map of things to see in Matera
Video de Matera
NOTE: The information in this article is based on our own experience, being totally objective. This article contains affiliate links.
