Sassi Di Matera – The Rock Dwellings of Matera

Matera, one of the main towns of the region, has gained international fame for its historic centre known as the ‘Sassi di Matera' (‘stones of Matera’), which has been recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1993 (Watch the Video).

The Sassi date back to prehistoric times and are suspected to be some of the first human settlements in Italy. They are houses, or rock dwellings, dug out of the rock known as ‘tuffo’ and which is characteristic of this area. 

Many of these ‘houses’ are really only caverns and the streets in some parts of the Sassi are located on the rooftops of other houses. The result is an intricate labyrinth of alleys and stairways, of caves and small elegant buildings, arches, galleries, gardens and terraces.

Matera was built above a deep ravine called the ‘Gravina of Matera’. This helped keep the town hidden in the past but also made it difficult to provide a water supply to its inhabitants. Early dwellers invested tremendous energy building a hydraulic system and cisterns that supplied the layers of houses with fresh drinking water, even during the hottest seasons.

Until the late 1980s the Sassi was deserted as most houses lacked the infrastructure necessary for modern living. Since then, there has been an enthusiastic regeneration of the area and visitors wandering around the Sassi today will find that many houses have been lovingly restored.

There are thriving businesses including characteristic bars and restaurants where the tastes and pace of life in Basilicata can be experienced. There are also a selection of hotels and B&Bs that offer one-of-a-kind accommodation in beautifully converted rock dwellings that are of historical and architectural value in their own right.

This unique environment is steeped in history and extremely atmospheric.  An excellent time to visit is during the unique annual festival of the Patron Saint of Matera, Madonna dell Bruna.

Passionate About Matera

Due to the ancient and primitive scenery in and around the Sassi, many filmmakers have used it as the setting for ancient Jerusalem, perhaps the most famous being the Mel Gibson film, ‘The Passion of Christ’.

Parco Murgia and the Rock Churches, ‘Chiese Rupestri’.

Like every city or town in Italy, Matera has many churches. However, nowhere else in Italy can you see such a diverse collection of buildings related to the Christian faith.

Numerous religious communities settled down in the area of Matera from the Benedictines (VIII century) to the Basil monks persecuted by the Turks (XII/XV century). Small and large places of worship evolved, dug into the rock and sometimes perched on inaccessible ravines for sanctuary. 

Some are simple caves with a single alter and maybe a fresco, some are complex cave networks with large underground chambers, thought to have been used for meditation by the Rupestric and Cenobitic monks.

Many churches are frescoed with sacred images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, the Saints and the Apostles and represent fascinating fusions of both Byzantine and Western art.

Today, it is possible to admire more than 150 ‘rock churches’ spread over a large and dramatic expanse of countryside.

Visit www.turismomatera.it, www.discoverbasilicata.com and www.aptbasilicata.it for more details.

Annual Festival of Patron Saint of Matera

Why not combine a visit to Matera with the unique annual festival of the towns’ patron saint, ‘Madonna della Bruna’, on July 2nd.

The festival dates back to 1380 and is celebrated by transporting an effigy of the patron saint throughout the heavily decorated streets of Matera.  But, it doesn’t stop there.

The highlight of this festival is the spectacular destruction of the float, ‘Carro’, which carries the Madonna on her voyage through the town. The vehicle is made of papier mâchè and takes a full year to make as it is adorned with rich and elaborate imagery from both the Old and the New Testaments.

The art of making this ‘Carro’ is a well-preserved artisan tradition of Matera and a skill that has been passed down through the centuries from father to son in local families.

The ‘Carro’ is accompanied and protected by an entourage of armoured knights with torches, representing the Armigeri of Count Tramontano, one of the feudal lords of Matera.

However well armed and imposing the knights may look, every year they are still ‘unable’ to prevent the obliteration of the vehicle at the hands of the locals.

Scraps and bits of the Carro are prized souvenirs and can been seen on the walls in many local homes. If you're quick on your feet you might even be able to secure one for yourself.

This festival is well worth catching and an added bonus when visiting Matera. (Watch the Video)