Luxury Matera Holidays

In the remote Basilicata region sits the ancient and evocative city of Matera. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and European Capital of Culture in 2019, Matera is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and famed for its extensive cave-dwelling districts, the Sassi.

The Sassi

On a rocky outcrop in the deep south of Italy, Matera is a sprawling complex of stone dwellings carved into the hillsides in amphitheatre style, with two main quarters, or Sassi, Sasso Caveoso to one side and Sasso Barisano to the other, presided over by Matera’s graceful cathedral set on the ridge above.

Carved out of limestone tufa, the city’s caves have been inhabited for centuries and the Sassi appear like a chaotic and fascinating jumble of cave-houses, beautifully frescoed rock churches and stone buildings piled one on top of another. Some of these age-old caves and former homes have now been restored and opened as trendy cafés, art galleries, restaurants and hotels to attract visitors, whilst the city’s unearthly, ancient beauty has made it perfect backdrop to a number of films including The Passion of the Christ and the latest Bond, No Time to Die.

See the city on a guided tour or enjoy exploring independently and getting wonderfully lost amidst the winding streets and tiny alleys and discover sleepy piazzas, sweeping views and ancient cave churches.

Head up to the Belvedere for the best views, visit Casa Grotta di Vico Soliatrio museum for an insight into life in Matera of old and the Museo Nazionale to see sacred and modern art.

Palombaro Lungo is a giant subterranean cistern that once provided the city’s water and can be visited on a guided tour, and high up above the Sassi is the city’s 13th century cathedral.

A must-see are some of the more than 150 chiese rupestre, cave churches, including the richly frescoed Santa Maria di Idris, the fine San Pietro Barisano, the 8th century Santa Lucia alle Malve and the monastic complex of Madonna delle Virtue, plus the Crypt of the Original Sin 7km away, with its wellpreserved eight-century frescoes and some of Italy’s oldest Christian images.