Matera

Better known as the City of the Sassi or the Subterranean City, Matera is known for its Sassi, which are some of the oldest inhabited homes in the world, and the first site in Southern Italy to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As the county seat of the same-name province of Basilicata, Matera is included in international guides as a cultural destination, especially after the great publicity attributed to Mel Gison’s movie, “The Passion”. Numerous cultural events and period art exhibits are a constant attraction in a lovely scenery that has given the city the title of European Capital of Culture 2019. Considering that in Matera you can conveniently get around on foot, the Marino bus stop in Via Don Luigi Sturzo, near the Church of San Paolo, is a great starting point for an interesting tour. Walking along Via Dante Alighieri, you soon reach the Sassi. It is a collection of houses/caves, alleys, and churches where, since the Neolithic age, people lived, to then move on to more comfortable homes. The visit continues easily towards the Castle Tramontano, built upon request of the Count of Matera, Gian Carlo Tramontano, but was never finished because of his assassination. As an end to the tour, we recommend visiting the Cathedral of Matera at the highest point of the city, built in the 13th century in a Romanesque style.