Sassi di Matera
Sassi di Matera, a Unesco World Heritage Site is one of the first human settlements in Italy. It was almost abandoned in the 50’s when the government forcefully relocated many inhabitants to the developing modern city. Many returned years later and today the city is thriving.
It’s easy to imagine people walking the same alleys and streets thousands of years ago. Many of the cave dwellings have been renovated into luxury accommodations but there is a section that is still in disrepair giving an idea of what it may have been like during the abandoned years.
La Gravina
Across the ravine (La Gravina) you can still see original caves, hike over, into the Parco della Murgia Materana and get a good view back into the city.
Area 8
Matera has many wonderful restaurants and bars to enjoy. Area 8 is a funky spot, very popular with the locals and great for creative cocktails and snacks. You might catch a glimpse of a movie star or two if there is a film production in town.
If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, Osteria Pico, built on several levels of caves, is worth a visit. Although the wait staff seemed a bit aloof, the food was delicious and the decor and architecture are quite pleasing to the eye.
Matera bread
If you’ve been over-indulging on carbs during your time in Italy, you may want to continue the overload for a while longer. Matera is known for a few things other than its Sassi. One of those is Matera bread, some say it’s the best in Italy.
Another great food to come out of Matera is the peperoni cruschi, sweet chili peppers, dried and then fried. They are as addictive as beer nuts.
Churches
Matera has, as do most Italian cities and towns, several churches. We visited a few, San Pietro Caveoso built in the 1300s on the edge of a cliff makes for amazing photos but the exterior is much more spectacular than the inside.
If you’re pressed for time and want to visit a church opt for Matera’s cathedral. One of the most impressive restorations we have ever seen, their audio guide is worth the small fee to get the most out of your visit.
Have you been to Sassi di Matera? What would you add to this list?
Wow! What a amazing photography and place. This looks so beautiful… Thanks for sharing it.
The beauty of nature looks awesome. I really like the beauty of that place. So stunning pics. Thanks for sharing it.
That city is one of a kind! Why I’ve never heard of it before, it’s gorgeous!
Awesome Picture! what a nice place this is. It’s looking so cool heritage site and hanging make the unique to this area. Thanks for sharing.
Soo cool heritage site! This looks rely beautiful with some stunning pictures! you are really lucky that you got to experience this! Thanks.
Thanks for sharing Amazing and stunning pictures of hanging unesco world heritage site, that is really wonderful to read this blog. Looking forward to seeing more.
Archiving Amazing portraits of photos in one place.
Nice posting and writing style. The theme, flow, images everything is really very good. One more thing, I like the three wheeler used in this post and i wants to drive it, can you help me?
What an amazing place… and I had never heard of it!
Impressive restorations, Matera’s cathedral, San Pietro Caveoso are such a world heritage site nice blog with awesome pictures, Thanks for sharing.
Lovely heritage site! Great blog you are lucky to experience these places, thanks for sharing.