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The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera

Matera · Italy

Background

World Heritage since
1993
Type of site
Cultural
First settlement
7000 BC

UNESCO calls the Sassi the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and ecosystem. The first inhabited zone dates from the Palaeolithic, and later settlements illustrate a number of significant stages in human history.

The two Sassi, Caveoso and Barisano, are houses dug into the soft rock on one slope of the Gravina ravine, with streets running over the roofs of the houses below. In the 1950s the state moved most of the population out of what were then unhealthy, malarial dwellings; since the 1980s the caves have been regenerated, and Matera was European Capital of Culture in 2019.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 7000 BCPeople are living in the caves of Matera
  2. Middle AgesThe rock churches are carved and frescoed
  3. 1950sThe Italian state moves the Sassi's population out
  4. 1993Inscribed as World Heritage
  5. 2019Matera is European Capital of Culture

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Sasso Caveoso
    The more historic of the two quarters, with the Casa Grotta cave house.
  2. 2
    Sasso Barisano
    The other quarter, partly restored as hotels and offices.
  3. 3
    Matera Cathedral
    On the ridge between the two Sassi.
  4. 4
    Rock Churches
    Santa Maria de Idris and frescoed San Pietro Barisano.
  5. 5
    Murgia Belvedere
    Across the gorge, for the rock churches of the park and the classic view back.
  6. 6
    Palombaro Lungo
    The huge cistern under the main square.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Train from Bari
Wikivoyage: the FAL train takes 90 minutes from Bari, with a bus on Sundays.
On Foot Only
The Sassi can only be explored on foot, with many stairs; the Linea Sassi bus runs from the station.
Tour Groups
Expect huge groups in the narrow alleys on Sundays and holidays.
At Night
The cave town glows after dark from the viewpoints.

The Two Sassi

From the GoGo Matera guide · Open the Matera Guide ›

  1. 09:00
    Sasso Caveoso90 min
    Cave houses and rock churches.
  2. 10:45
    Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario45 min
    A furnished cave house.
  3. 14:30
    Matera Cathedral45 min
    On the ridge.
  4. 15:30
    Sasso Barisano75 min
    The other quarter.
  5. 21:30
    Sassi at Night45 min
    The caves lit up.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: May, Sep–Oct.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Nov (89 mm), driest Jun (35 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
The trulli of Alberobello are 54 km away and Castel del Monte 55 km, both World Heritage sites.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 670 · Wikipedia: Sassi di Matera · Wikivoyage: Matera (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Matera guide · UNESCO listing