Matera
Matera is located in the Basilicata region of Italy. Long ago, people lived in prehistoric caves which were once
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What’s In This Post:
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First-hand information and tour recommendation
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History
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Cisterns make Matera well known
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Hollywood
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Streets of Matera
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Recognition
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Lumen Social Light 2019
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Hotel recommendation
First Hand
We booked a tour on Trip Advisor because we knew we would never really understand the full history about Matera without one. This tour was reasonably priced and our two tour guides were fantastic! We were booked as a group but were the only ones so it became a private tour – €25 each! You can check out Renato Favilli’s Group Information at Discovering Matera
First of all, our guide Sara told us about her grandparents living in the caves. She informed us the animals lived in the back part of the cave and the families toward the front by the entrance. Most noteworthy, the reason for the little window above the door was so the parents, especially the father could see if the sun was rising. Therefore, he could let out the animals and begin the day. Furthermore, the people basically lived outside their cave in a vicinato or courtyard/piazza. It was a community where everyone knew everybody and helped each other with food and farming.
When we arrived at this street, Via B Buozzi, Sara took out a copy of an old photo. She showed us how the street was being dug for sewage long ago and if you look, you can see we were standing in the same spot! You can see by the shape on the top of the one building. Amazing!

History
The extent of the horrible conditions in The Sassi only came to international attention when the writer, Carlo Levi published his memoir Christ Stripped at Eboli. In 1950, The Italian Prime Minister, Alcide De Gasperi, one of the EU’s founding fathers, visited this town and was shocked by what he saw. As a result, within the next few years, he forcibly
Cisterns
Matera is known for its cisterns which is a system of collecting rain-water. These are found throughout the Sassi. The largest cistern called “Palombaro” has been found under Piazza Vittorio Veneto. With pillars in the rock and height more than fifteen meters, it is actually navigable by boat. Like other cisterns in the town, it collected rain-water that was filtrated and flowed in a controlled way to the Sassi.
- they used bones from deceased animals to hold up the gutters!
- bridge over the valley
Hollywood
Matera is popular with both Italian and international directors. More than 50 films and TV productions were filmed here because of its unique landscape. Some include Pier Paolo Pasolini’s The Gospel According to St Matthew, Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ (which was partly filmed here in 2003), and Patty Jenkins Wonder Woman, just to name a few.
Over the years, Bond movies have been filmed in numerous Italian locations including Rome, Siena, and Venice as well as Lake Como and Sardinia. The new upcoming Bond movie will have scenes going through the historic center of Matera and entering The Sassi.
Salvador Dali
As part of the 2019 European Capital of Culture celebration, Matera has an exhibit of Salvador Dali. Some of the works, such as the monumental sculptures of the Space Elephant, the Surrealist Plan and the Dance of Time II, are visible in the streets of the historical center. We only found two of the three when exploring Matera. As an artist, Salvador Dali was not limited to a particular style or media. He worked in all media, leaving behind a wealth of oils, drawings, watercolors, and sculptures.
Streets of Matera
Recognition
The Sassi became a UNESCO world’s heritage site in 1993 and as a result, is now undergoing a complex restoration and renovation. Matera has seen visitor numbers increase in the past decade, and will continue now after being named Europe’s Capital of Culture for 2019. Matera won this title over 20 Italian city contenders.
If you would like to read more, here is an amazing article by the Smithsonian.com from 2014 Matera Article
Lumen Social Light 2019
The magic of lights brings back to mind the old Southern Italy traditions and rituals of illumination festive moments.
You can see these lights throughout the city and the citizens are not sure if they will stay just for 2019 or indefinitely.
We highly recommend this hotel if you want a cave setting and fantastic service!
Matera – Places to Stay
2 Comments
Susan Schoonover
May 16, 2019 at 8:21 amGreat information on Matera. Will be there in July. Noticed a photo of a bridge over canyon —- tell me, did you walk it?
Greetings from Phoenix . BTW – We spend the summers in Italy.
imodica
May 16, 2019 at 11:49 amHi Susan! You are from Phoenix? How great! Thanks for the comment… but we did not cross the bridge. We saw others who did just walking on the hillside. Looked beautiful but didn’t have time in the schedule. This year is a great time to visit Matera. Have fun in July and let us know your thoughts. I highly recommend our tour. Was so affordable and wonderful!!!