The best things to do in Matera, Italy is to explore the caves.
The caves are wild, a mystical dream Salvador Dali or Hieronymus Bosch might have had.
The word “otherworldly” was created just so it could describe this unusual city in the region of Basilicata.
Visitors come to Matera to see the caves but there is so much more to enjoy and experience. Read on to learn about the best things to do in Matera.
When it comes to travel destinations, Matera, Italy is like a hidden gem that is just waiting to be found. You wouldn’t want to miss out on Matera’s allure, I promise.
It’s understandable why Matera is recognized more and more as one of Italy’s must-visit locations.
This UNESCO World Heritage site, which was named the 2019 European Capital of Culture, has an amazing 7000 years of history.
The city was used as the setting for Mel Gibson’s, The Passion of the Christ. It was also the backdrop for the movie, The Omen, and the most recent Ben Hur. How much more can you ask for?
The Sassi, the historic neighborhoods with cave dwellings that have seen the rise and fall of civilization, are the true stars of Matera.
Residents of the Sassi had to put up with subpar living conditions up to the 1950s.
Due to Carlo Levi’s realistic depiction of the city’s hardships in his memoir, “Cristo si è fermato ad Eboli,” Matera contributed to the city being named “the shame of Italy.”
The Italian government intervened in reaction, removing the populace, seizing houses, and turning the Sassi into a ghost town that remained abandoned for more than 40 years.
However, Matera underwent a rebirth in the 1990s when it was granted a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list, much like a phoenix emerging from the ashes.
Since then, the city has made investments to maintain its historical buildings, renovated homes and churches, and even opened upscale lodgings with cave-like vaulted chambers.
Also worth noting are the many new “cave” restaurants nestled into mountain crevases. Don’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy mouthwatering regional cuisine at these recently launched eateries.
Prioritize Matera on your vacation itinerary before it develops into the next major tourist destination.
Matera provides a unique experience, whether you choose a jam-packed one-day excursion or a more relaxed two-day exploration.
But do try to stay longer to further explore this remarkable city.
Enjoy all that Matera has to offer, from its fascinating history to its quaint cave hotels and delicious regional cuisine.
Matera is more than just a place to visit; it’s an amazing trip through culture and time that you won’t soon forget.
Things To Do in Matera
Sleep in a Cave Hotel
Waking up in a room carved into the very stone that cradled generations before you is truly magical. I recently experienced this surreal journey in a cave hotel.
One of my best experiences in this cave hotel was seeing the subtle play of light and shadow on the ancient walls. It’s like a hug from history every time you turn in for the night.
Matera’s cave hotels aren’t just places to sleep; they’re portals to a bygone era. The cave houses, like Casa Noha and Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, transport you back in time.
Some of the coolest cave hotels include: Hotel Caveoso, Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita, Thymus Residence nei Sassi.
Explore the Amazing Palombaro
Now, let’s talk about the Palombaro Lungo, a subterraneum sistern and one of the best things in Matera.
Descending into this colossal water reservoir is like stepping into a lost world in southern Italy.
The sheer scale of it left me in awe. It’s an underground marvel that speaks volumes about Matera’s ingenious water management system throughout the ages.
The echoes of the past reverberate through the cavernous space, making you feel like you’re walking through history.
Explore Matera by Foot or Tuk Tuk
Explore Matera’s enchanting charm on foot, meandering through its labyrinthine alleys and uncovering stone-carved wonders at every turn.
To make the most of your visit, consider taking a Tuk Tuk tour for a breezy exploration of Matera’s narrow streets.
As you navigate the winding paths, be sure to check out the many museums offering insights into the history of Matera.
Visit the Chiesa del Purgatorio.
For a moment of reflection, head to the Chiesa del Purgatorio in Matera, one of the best places for a serene escape.
This church is more than just a religious site. As you step inside, the hushed silence envelops you, creating a serene space for contemplation.
The intricate carvings and ancient frescoes whisper tales of the passage of time in this ancient town.
It’s a moment of quiet introspection, a chance to connect with the deep-rooted spirituality that permeates Matera’s air.
The Chiesa del Purgatorio, with its captivating atmosphere, is undoubtedly one of the best things to see in Matera.
Visit the Duomo and the Old Civita
One of the best things to see in Matera is the Duomo, which should not be missed. The town’s rich history is reflected in this magnificent cathedral.
History buffs should not miss this architectural marvel, which combines Apulian Gothic and Romanesque styles.
Give yourself time to fully appreciate the minute nuances embedded in each stone.
After that, take a walk about the historic Civita, where each corner offers a glimpse into a bygone period.
You get the impression that you have entered a living museum because of the quaint cobblestone lanes and historic homes.
Meander through the streets
Explore the history of the city in the Sassi of Matera through its charming rock church like Santa Maria di Idris and Chiesa di San Pietro, as you meander through the winding cobblestone streets.
History of Matera
The history of Matera, one of the best places in southern Italy, goes way back to Palaeolithic settlements.
The first Neolithic pottery in Matera dates back to around 7500 years BCE, when terracotta pottery was produced in the villages.
Built on an entrenched prehistoric village, the town is likely to have Greek origins.
In the times of Magna Graecia, Matera shared a close relationship with colonies on the southern coast, becoming a trade and transit route in Roman times.
It’s a great place to explore the roots of Italian history.
Matera hosted key immigrations of Byzantine and Benedictine monks, who transformed the caves of the huge Gravina valley into UNESCO World Heritage Site Rock Churches.
After the settlement of the Normans in Italy, the city enjoyed a period of peace, followed by famine and earthquakes.
Matera was a royal city for a long time, until it came under the rule of the Aragonese and was ceded to Count Giovan Carlo Tramontano, who was later killed by the tax-oppressed locals.
The people of Matera have never been afraid to make themselves heard. They were the first in the south to rebel against Nazi occupation.
In 1952, a national law called for the evacuation of the Sassi due to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.
The construction of new residential districts to develop a new city area was ordered.
Today, Matera stands as a European Capital of Culture, a title well-deserved for its spectacular views, narrow streets, and historic charm.
Where is Matera located in Italy?
Matera is in the Province of Matera in Southern Italy.
The heart of Matera lies along the right bank of the Gravina River, serving as a geological border between the hill country of Basilicata and the Murgia plateau of Apulia to the north-east.
The focal point, known as Civita, perches atop the central high ground, housing Matera’s cathedral and administrative buildings.
As you explore the settlement districts that scale down and burrow into the sheer rock faces, you’ll discover the enchanting Sassi or city of caves.
The best time to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site should be taken into account when organizing your trip to Matera.
Matera is also wine country and a culinary center. Savor the regional wines and the famous Pane di Matera, among other traditional fare, for a true taste of Matera.
How to get to Matera from Bari and from Naples
The easiest way to reach Matera is from Bari airport, which many low-cost airlines serve regularly.
Getting there from Naples is an option as well, even though less convenient.
You obviously don’t need a car to explore old Matera. However, renting a car could be the best way to get around those narrow winding streets.
It will give you enough flexibility to reach the sunset viewpoint and to visit charming Altamura or Gravina, neighboring towns.
Imagine embarking on a road trip through the captivating landscapes of southern Italy, discovering the best things and best places that Matera has to offer.
The Castellana caves and the Alborobello trulli could be an optional visit destination as well. Just consider that finding a proper parking place could take a little bit of time (and a lot of your patience!).
Navigating the narrow streets and rocky outcrops, you’ll find yourself immersed in this UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounded by cave houses and the rich history of Matera.
Where to stay in Matera.
Magical Sassi di Matera, Italy and Its Caves
So many sites are underground. The Sassi di Matera Italy caves include homes, restaurants, churches…there is even an underground museum that I can only describe as poignant, although I’m not sure why. Maybe because these pretty works of art exist underground, in the dark, never seeing the light of day.
Day trips from Matera
Crossing the inset of the Italian boot on the way to Sicily there are several notable towns besides Matera, each unusual in its own way; Ostuni, Arbelobello, Lecce are just three. These are often called The Fairy Towns.
One of the great joys of traveling through Italy is discovering firsthand that it is, indeed, a dream destination. - Debra Lavinson Click To TweetOstuni, the White City, sits on a mountaintop – as do many Southern Italian towns – in a crazy maze of white-washed houses on winding medieval streets.
Where to stay in Ostuni.
If you were dropped into the middle of this labyrinth there is no way you would find your way out. Ever.
We hired a little motorized three-wheeler to take us through the town and noticed the houses and businesses were carved out of the mountain itself.
One of the restaurants we ate at “Il Tempo Perso” (Lost Time), was essentially a cave. The food was certainly tasty but the whole cave experience is what made the meal.
Arbelobello is unique in that the houses are all built in a conical shape.
The story is that long ago the local lords decided to tax the people based on the houses they inhabited.
To avoid this, the locals built the conical structures in a way that would allow them to be easily dismantled. And the practice stuck.
Just at the heel of the Italian boot is Lecce, famous for its 17th-century baroque architecture, a style referred to as Barocco Leccese.
It has been alternately described as the most beautiful city in Italy as well as a lunatic’s nightmare.
Either way, it is an explosion of elaborately carved stone-masonry that awes you the first time you see it. That entire area of Puglia in Southern Italy is worth a long leisurely visit.
Lecce was our first introduction to the true “deep-south” of Southern Italy.
We drove into the town looking for our hotel, the Presidente. A local policeman directed us to drive up a one-way street in the opposite direction to get there.
No one seemed to notice or care that we were driving against traffic.
At a rustic restaurant called Alle Due Corti they told us they were full.
We lingered in the doorway looking hungry and they eventually found us a table. Sometimes it pays to be a little brazen.
The food was bursting with strong, contrasting flavors drawing from the local produce.
Which of the movies filmed in the Sassi di Matera Italy caves is your favorite?
If you liked this post, you’ll like these other posts on southern Italy.
Learn more about Sassi Di Matera Italy caves with these handy guides:
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