This frequently overlooked city features a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is fondly called a “Second Bethlehem.” It provides a peaceful experience for visitors, enabling them to explore at their own pace without the usual hustle and bustle of crowds.
Situated in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, the city is celebrated for its distinctive layout, providing numerous unique places to discover. It is considered one of Italy’s most authentic destinations. Matera is thought to be one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with origins tracing back to the Paleolithic era, approximately 10,000 BC.
Additionally, archaeological finds in the area’s caves include pottery from the Early Neolithic period.
Matera is famous for its ancient underground dwellings, charming churches, delicious pizzas, and winding alleys with cobblestone streets. The city’s acropolis, called Civita, houses the cathedral and administrative buildings, while below lies the Sassi di Matera, a series of settlements carved into the cliffs.
Designated a World Heritage Site in December 1993, the Sassi has seen a surge in tourism and restoration efforts. In 2014, Matera was named the European Capital of Culture for 2019. These cave dwellings, some of Italy’s earliest human settlements, are examples of “architecture in negative,” created by removing material rather than building.
Occupied until the 20th century, these dwellings were abandoned as unsuitable for modern living, with residents relocated to new homes between 1952 and the 1970s. The Casalnuovo House Cave offers a glimpse into past living conditions.
Matera also features a wealth of Christian buildings, including numerous rock churches carved from local calcarenite rock. Noteworthy among them is the Crypt of Original Sin, adorned with ancient Biblical frescoes and known as “the Sistine Chapel of rock churches.”
The city hosts lively outdoor markets with homemade goods and traditional eateries offering local dishes like cialledda salad, made with Basilicata durum wheat bread.
Today, Matera is witnessing rapid business growth in southern Italy.
Just outside Matera, the Murgia Materana Park features ravines, caves, rock churches, and diverse flora and fauna. Established in 1990, it highlights the historical connection between humans and nature in southern Italy. Covering 7,000 hectares, the park is home to over 1,200 plant species and various wildlife. It also contains more than 150 rock churches from the early Middle Ages, showcasing a blend of Greek Byzantine and Latin cultures. These churches served as places of worship, homes, and shelters for animals.