Capital of culture 2019 , Matera and its Sassi are a naturalistic beauty that offers a unique experience. Unesco heritage , the famous Sassi are the main attraction of Matera, but not the only one.
Divided between the old and the new, in addition to the houses carved into the tuff, the rock churches, hypogea and the breathtaking views that open onto the Gravina, the upper part of the city boasts attractions such as the Cathedral, the Tramontano Castle and respectable museums.
Here is a list of things to see during a visit to Matera .
What to see in Matera
1 – Sassi di Matera
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, the Sassi refer to the old part of Matera.
I’mdivided into three areas : the Sasso Barisano to the north-west, the Sasso Caveoso to the south and the Civita which divides them in the center. The latter is the oldest part, the one that was first chosen by man to be modeled and inhabited. It extends up to Piazza Duomo, incorporating the perimeter once delimited by the city walls.
The name of the Sasso “Barisano” indicates the part that extends towards Bari, while the “Caveoso” takes its name from the high presence of cave-houses in this area.
The architecture of the Sassi di Matera tells of man’s ability to adapt perfectly to the environment and natural context, using with skill simple characteristics such as the constant temperature of the excavated environments, the calcarenite of the rocky bank and the exploitation of the slopes. It is possible to go up and down the numerous alleys that alternate between the buildings independently, finding oneself in always different and surprising corners, or you can opt for a guided tour of the Sassi, to get to know and absorb the magic of this unique place.
2 – Parco della Murgia
Photo by Mattis. The Natural Historical Archaeological Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Materano is a protected natural area of ​​Basilicata that contains one of the most spectacular rocky landscapes in the world.
An area of ​​about 8,000 hectaresof which about 1,000 included by UNESCO in 2007 in the World Heritage List together with the Sassi of Matera.
Developed along the canyons carved by the Gravina di Matera and the Gravina di Picciano , both tributaries of the Bradano, the park is located on the opposite side of the Sassi di Matera.
It is made up of different environments , first of all the fluvial one of the Gravina di Matera which runs for 20 kilometers through the center of the canyon until it joins the Bradano river in Montescaglioso.
In a landscape of wooded areas, agricultural areas with farms and Mediterranean scrub, a continuous alternation of steep slopes, valleys, small valleys, ravines, terraces and plateaus, where there are numerous species of great botanical and faunal interest.
The park contains a large number of churches and rock villages (see also the tour of the rock churches in the Murgia Park) which testify to human settlements from prehistoric times to the modern age.
- How to get there: 5 minutes by car from Matera, along the SS 7 towards Taranto and following the signs “CEA / Visitor Center” – Get directions
- Hours: Nov-Mar 9: 00-13: 30, Apr-Oct 9: 30-13: 00/16: 00-18: 30. On reservation also open after hours
- Ticket cost: free. If you want to participate in guided tours, the rates vary from € 7.50 to € 20.00
3 – Cave house in the Sassi
Typical cave house furnished with period furniture and tools that offers visitors a precise idea of ​​how family life was organized in the houses of the Sassi .
It represents an excellent example to be able to know and understand the evolution of the history and peasant culture of Matera; as well as to better understand the uses and customs of the inhabitants of the ancient districts of the Sassi di Matera before their abandonment
The house is made up of four rooms excavated on three levels, with attached stable and cellar. Next to the cave house there is the laboratory of “sound ceramic” where you can admire the display of terracotta whistles, typical of the area, made entirely by hand.
Take a trip to Il Bottegaccio : located less than 5 minutes walk from the Casa Grotta, this artisan shop is the ideal place to discover some traditions of Matera and to let the friendly owner tell you about the local tradition of the Pupa, the sun and the of the cuckoo. Inside, photographs are prohibited.
- How to get there: about 700 meters from Piazza Duomo, 9 min on foot – Get directions
- Hours: 10 am-8pm
- Ticket cost: € 3.00
4 – Cathedral of Matera
Photo by Palickap. It is the main church of Matera . Built in the twelfth century on the highest spur of the Civita that divides the two Sassi , the cathedral was, most likely, initially dedicated to Sant’Eustachio, since it was built on a part of land where the Benedictine monastery dedicated to the saint once stood. .
The facade, in Apulian-Romanesque style , is decorated with a rose window, blind arches and small columns, as well as statues of the Madonna and various saints; on the right façade stands the Porta dei Leoni, and the four-storey bell tower stands out over the whole.
The interior, in the shape of a Latin cross, is a luminous Baroque triumph.
The reason for his dedication dates back to a legend according to which a carter gave a ride to what later turned out to be the Madonna. The epithet “della Bruna” instead has several explanations: according to some it derives from the color of the young woman’s skin, according to others to the medieval meaning of brunette as a breastplate, and therefore the Protectress Madonna .
- How to get there: in Piazza Duomo, 16 min walk from the train station – Get directions
- Hours: 9: 00-19: 00
- Ticket cost: free
5 – MUSMA – Museum of Contemporary Sculpture
Photo by Velvet. The most important Italian museum entirely dedicated to sculpture .
It illustrates the history of Italian and international sculpture from the late 1800s to today with a rich body of works: sculptures, ceramics, medals, jewels, drawings, graphic works, artist books.
It is also enriched by a collection of monographs, art catalogs, literary and non-fiction texts, original photographs, documents destined for the Vanni Scheiwiller Library, to whose constitution Alina Kalczynska, wife of the well-known publisher and collector, contributed.
Inserted in the suggestive setting of Palazzo Pomarici , the MUSMA represents thethe only “cave” museum in the world , where the visitor can experience a perfect symbiosis, with an intense emotional impact , between the secular environments excavated by man and contemporary sculptures.
In fact, the museum spaces cover not only the built-up areas of the Palace, but also the large excavated hypogea.
- How to get there: from Piazza Duomo, take the arch near the Palazzo Gattini hotel and enter via San Potito. Turn right along Recinto San Giacomo and go down the steps in via San Giacomo – Get directions
- Hours: 10: 00-18: 00. Closed on Mondays
- Ticket cost: € 5.00
6 – Rock church of Santa Maria di Idris
Photo of Superchilum. Significant example of a rock church , that is , carved into the rock.
It rises in the upper part of the rocky spur of calcareous origin called Montirone or Monterrone, near San Pietro Caveoso.
A place of worship with a curious and suggestive aspect that infuses an air of sacredness to all the splendid surrounding view; the position is in fact stupendous: it offers a unique view over the city and the Gravina .
Dating back to the fourteenth-fifteenth century, the church of Santa Maria di Idris is part of a rock complex that includes the oldest crypt dedicated to San Giovanni in Monterrone, where there are frescoeswell preserved.
The church has an irregular plan and is characterized by two distinct parts: one built and one excavated .
The facade, modest and made of tuff, was rebuilt in the fifteenth century following a collapse, and is embellished with a small but elegant bell tower.
The name Idris derives, almost certainly, from the Greek Odigitria, which means “guide of the way”, or “water”. In Constantinople the Virgin Mary was thus called and venerated, whose cult was introduced in southern Italy by Byzantine monks.
- How to get there: starting from Piazza Duomo (500 meters) go towards Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, take via Madonna dell’Idris (the last street on the right). Go straight and go up several flights of stairs – Get directions
- Hours: 9: 00-19: 00. In winter 10: 00-16: 00
- Ticket cost: € 3.00
7 – Castello Tramontano
Photo of Mateola. Located on the Lapillo hill , it overlooks the historic center of the city of Matera.
The castle was built starting from 1501 by Count Giovan Carlo Tramontano, feudal lord of Matera, and is in Aragonese style with a central keep and two lower side towers. The purpose was to defend the city along the most exposed side, but it remained unfinished due to the killing of the Count.
Today the two towers, connected by a bridge, have undergone changes as the bridge was destroyed.
The very high cost of the work and the very low wages of the workers contributed to exacerbate the spirits of the Matera people who put an end to the abuses in one of the most violent pages of thecity ​​history . The moral of this story can be read in the motto on the city coat of arms which thus reads “Bos lassus firmius figit pedem”, which means “the tired ox sinks its paw more firmly” to signify the vehemence of a peaceful people when tired of excessive harassment.
- How to get there: from Piazza del Duomo via Via delle Beccherie: 800 meters, 11 minutes on foot – Get directions
- Hours: external visit always accessible
- Ticket cost: free external visit
8 – Convent of Sant’Agostino
Photo of Isiwal. Developed on the rocky spur at the northern end of the Sassi, it stands as a bulwark and limit of the urban development of the Sasso Barisano .
The convent was founded by the will of the monks of the Eremitani order in 1592; in 1734 a terrible earthquake ruined the entire complex and then, in the nineteenth century, following the Napoleonic subversive laws and the process of National Unity, it suffered alternating fates assuming functions other than religious ones. Today it is the seat of the offices of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities.
The facade, a fine example of late Baroque architecture, spread over two levels; in the lower part, the portal is surmounted by a niche with the statue of St. Augustine, represented according to traditional iconography , with a long beard and gaunt face, a decorated miter on his head and a large cloak, while holding the church in his left hand.
The interior is richly embellished with many other artistic and decorative elements.
- How to get there: 550 meters from Piazza Duomo (8 minutes on foot) via Via Gradoni Duomo and Via D’Addozio – Get directions
- Hours: 9: 00-19: 00
- Ticket cost: free
9 – Palombaro Lungo
Photo of Velvet. The largest underground water cistern in the city of Matera, located under the pavement of Piazza Vittorio Veneto, where rain and spring waters from the hills of La Nera, Lapillo and Macamarda converge.
Its construction dates back to the nineteenth century, while it was only rediscovered in 1991.
With the tuff walls covered with a particular plaster that makes it waterproof, the cistern is part of a much more complex water collection system that extends under the districts of the Sassi.
In addition to the Palombaro Lungo, the city water system included numerous other smaller cisterns connected to each other.
In the past, the system served as a source ofwater supply for all the buildings placed “on the floor”, ie immediately outside the Sassi.
This particularity was among the main features that contributed to making the Sassi di Matera a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
Admire the sunset on the stones : after the visit, stop to watch the sunset from Belvedere Luigi Guerricchio, which offers a splendid view of the stones and the Sasso Barisano district! This is one of the most popular viewpoints, so you may find it a bit crowded.
- How to get there: the complex of the Hypogea in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, which also contains the Palombaro Lungo, extends into the central Piazza Vittorio Veneto – Get directions
- Hours: guided tours every hour from 10:00 to 18:00. In winter by appointment
- Ticket cost: € 3.00
10 – National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art of Basilicata
Photo by Anna Nicoletta Menzella. Inaugurated in 2003, it is one of the most recent museums in Matera .
Located in the suggestive halls of Palazzo Lanfranchi , the National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art of the Basilicata Region is divided into three sections: Sacred Art, Collectibles and Contemporary Art .
The first collects paintings, stone sculptures, wooden statues, silver and frescoes from all over the region. These are over 100 works created over a period of time ranging from the Middle Ages to the eighteenth century.
The second section is dedicated to the D’Errico Collection. There are 70 paintings made available by the homonymous Moral Body, which is based in Palazzo S. Gervasio.
In the third and last section, 44 works by Carlo Levi will be exhibited .
Palazzo Lanfranchi is the greatest monument that represents the seventeenth-century period in Matera. In front of the door is the sculpture “The Drop” by Kengiro Azuma .
- How to get there: 550 meters from Piazza Duomo (6 minutes on foot) via Via Domenico Ridola – Get directions
- Hours: 10 am-8pm. Closed on Wednesday morning
- Ticket cost: € 3.00
Matera itinerary in one day
Breakfast at the renowned Caffe Schiuma, the best coffee in the city (€ 3.50).
And then off, immersion in the Sassi. You can visit them independently, but we recommend a guided tour (from € 15.00).
The morning will be spent in an up and down through the narrow alleys. Among ancient tuff houses, vegetable gardens, small gardens and rock churches, make a stop at the Casa Grotta , an interesting house-museum that will give you an idea of ​​how people once lived in these houses.
For lunch, delight yourself with Lucanian specialties in a tuff cave at Le Baccanti (€ 35.00).
Finish your tour in the Sassi and enjoy some panoramic views of the Murge Park, on the opposite side, and then go up to the “new” city.
Visit the Cathedral and the particular Palombaro Lungo , the largest underground water cistern.
According to your artistic tastes, you can choose whether to visit the National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art of Basilicata Palazzo Lanfranchi or the more contemporary MUSMA , Museum of Contemporary Sculpture.
Admire the spectacle of the sunset over the Sassi from the terrace and dine at the Baccus Restaurant (€ 50.00).
One day itinerary at a glance
- Sassi of Matera
- Casa Grotta (10: 00-20: 00, € 3.00)
- Lunch at Baccanti
- Pontifical Basilica Cathedral of Maria Santissima della Bruna and Sant’Eustachio (9: 00-19: 00, free)
- Palombaro Lungo (guided tours every hour from 10:00 to 18:00. In winter by reservation, € 3.00)
- National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art of Basilicata Palazzo Lanfranchi (10: 00-20: 00. Closed on Wednesday morning. € 3.00)
- MUSMA, Museum of Contemporary Sculpture (10: 00-18: 00. Closed on Mondays. € 5.00)
- Dinner at Baccus Restaurant
Where to eat in Matera
- Morgan Restaurant : charming restaurant with really high quality typical Lucanian cuisine
Average price per person: € 40.00
Address and contacts: via Bruno Buozzi, 2 (Get directions) / tel: 0835 312233 - Quattroquarti – Crust and crumb : small place in the historic center that mainly does take-away; there are only 4 tables. Ideal for a quick lunch break. Puccia specialty.
Average price per person: € 5.00
Address and contacts: via Ascanio Persio, 25 (Get directions) / tel: 371 428 2899 - Basquiat, the restaurant : small room (22 seats) with open kitchen. Dishes cooked with fresh and high quality products.
Average price per person: € 55.00
Address and contacts: via lucana, 3 (Get directions) / tel: 335 543 8682 - Ego : gourmet restaurant that combines creativity with high quality products
Average price per person: € 65.00
Address and contacts: Via T. Stigliani, 44 (Get directions) / tel: 392 903 0963 - Miseria & Nobilta : spaghetti shop and restaurant with really wide and delicious tasting menus
Average price per person: € 20.00
Address and contacts: Via Don Giovanni Minzoni, 32 (Get directions) / tel: 393 916 8110
SEE ALSO : 10 Things to eat in Matera and where
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and best clubs
Matera in the evening is ready to amaze .
It is teeming with movement at any time of the day, but during the weekend, and throughout the summer, it also becomes the favorite destination for all those who live in neighboring countries and who move here in search of entertainment and special events.
Although there has been debate for some time on whether or not to allow nightlife in the Sassi , there is no doubt that these are the nerve center of the city. Especially the lower part of the Sasso Barisano and a succession of many bars and clubs that have now become the cult of the Matera nightlife.
So also in the evening immerse yourself in this fantastic scenery to sip a drink or an aperitif with a breathtaking view.
And finally, given that the city has shown a particular propensity towards everything that is art and culture , theatrical performances, concerts, film reviews and exhibitions are the subject of a very busy calendar.
- Shibuya , one of the places that young people from Matera literally take by storm.
Address: vico purgatorio, 12 (Get directions) - Area 8 : vintage-style multipurpose room where themed evenings are organized and you can even dance.
Address: via casalnuovo, 15 (Get directions) - Cotta 39 : live music, rock and pop style, with guests from the area and neighboring countries.
Address: via casalnuovo, 39 (Get directions) - The Boulevard : good music, great drinks and good selection of beers and wines
Address: Via Alessandro Volta, 11 (Get directions) - Kas67 : brewery with a really wide selection of craft beers, delicious burgers and great music
Address: Via Domenico Ridola, 67 (Get directions)
Plan your stay in Matera: info and useful tips
- How to get there: from Bari airport (60 km) can be reached by shuttle bus (€ 6.00) – flights from € 50.00. Alternatively, the city is well connected to the railway line
- How to get around : the historic center and the Sassi, due to their conformation, can be explored on foot. If you intend to visit the surroundings, the advice is to rent a car.
- Where to park : the following car parks are adjacent to the historic center and convenient for walking down to the Sassi. Piazza Cesare Firrao, Piazza Kennedy, Via Cappelluti, Autoservizi Damasco (pay attention to the ZTL access – call the parking lot to get authorized), Via Lucana, Piazza della Visitazione, Via Aldo Moro – FAL station
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 40.00 per room – see the offers
- What to see in the surrounding area : Ginosa (26.8 km – 33 min by car), Altamura (18.5 km – 22 min by car), Alberobello (68.9 km – 1 hour 4 min by car), Lake San Giuliano (20.2 km – 19 min by car), Gravina in Puglia (26.9 km – 29 min by car), Cisternino and Locorotondo (76.1 km – 1 hour 11 min by car)
