Explorer Matera

Matera – from shame to chic in 50 years

Reproduction of how people used to live next to animals in Matera (c) Fototeca ENIT/Sandro Bedessi

Yet not so long ago, living conditions were so bad that the streets of the two sassi (meaning “stones”) districts of Barisano and Caveoso, became inadvertent sewers. Homes were badly ventilated often with 90 per cent humidity and on top of that farmers lived with their animals (horses, sheep) in small spaces. None of this was helped by overpopulation, disease and poverty.

The council was so appalled that they evacuated the 20,000 inhabitants and moved them into square-shaped two-story homes dubbed casa Mussolini with modern amenities on the outskirts of town. Matera was now ripe for renovation, and has scrubbed up beautifully, so much so that it has been awarded European Capital of Culture for 2019.

Now bathing in the warmth of the limelight, the city is becoming the next must-visit holiday destination.

What to see in Matera

S. Giovanni Battista church (c) Fototeca ENIT/Sandro Bedessi

Matera is divided into the civita – the town centre –  and surrounding sassi cliffs. It’s a walk of sometime steep ups and downs and highlights include the sensational views especially from Parco della Murgia Materana, the national park.

The thirteenth century Cathedral of Santa Maria della Bruna made from tufa stone, stands tall overlooking the Sassi from the hightest point on Civita hill. Inside it is rich in Baroque style, with stucco, paintings, gilded frames and sculptures.

Several other churches cut out of tufa stone but a notable exception is the 13th-century San Pietro. It’s worth checking out the Appian Way to Cripta del Peccato Originale to see the medieval cave paintings.

High in this hills is the cave church of Santa Lucia alle Malve, one of 155 rupestrian (made of stone) with extraordinary frescoes.

Explore Matera’s film fame

(c) Luca Aless

It’s hardly surprising that Mel Gibson chose to film his The Passion of the Christ in 2003. The sassi caves are instantly recognisable as is the church of San Nicola dei Greci which selected as the location for the Last Supper.

Also look out for the soon to be released Ben Hurspectacular starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Huston where Metera features as the backdrop.

Wonder Woman, released in 2017, was also shot in Matera and stars Gal Gadot, David Thewlis, and Robin Wright.

Where to sleep in and around Matera

Matera has plenty of B&Bs, condominiums and caves suitable for 1-3 nights stay. Le Grotte della Civita, which comprises 18 cave-cum-bedrooms is luxuriously rustic and ripe for romance. For those in search of a spa as well, Locanda di San Martino Hotel e Thermae Romanae’s Roman baths may tick the box, while Palazzo Gattini provides spirituality with a view.

If you are looking to stay longer than just a weekend, we recommend you combine a visit to Matera with a visit to Puglia, just over an hour drive from Matera (read our guide to Top 10 places to see in Puglia). There are over 18000 villas with a pool and at least 2000 luxury villas in Puglia. Here are some of our favourites: