Matera ,Italy

🪨 Discover Matera, Italy: The Ancient City Carved from Stone

Hidden in the heart of southern Italy, Matera is one of Europe’s oldest cities — and easily one of its most magical. With ancient cave dwellings, cinematic landscapes, and a history that dates back thousands of years, it’s no wonder Matera is being called “Italy’s best-kept secret.”

🗺️ Where is Matera?

Matera is tucked away in Basilicata, just across the border from Puglia. While it’s not as famous as Rome or Venice, it offers something truly rare: a step back in time. The city’s iconic Sassi di Matera (literally "stones of Matera") are ancient cave homes carved into a rugged limestone ravine.

📍 Distance from Bari: 1 hour by car or regional train
📍 UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993

🏛️ What Makes Matera So Special?

Matera has been inhabited for over 9,000 years, making it one of the oldest continually lived-in places in the world. But what sets it apart are the cave homes, rock churches, and dramatic landscapes that feel like a movie set — and often are.

🎬 Famous Films Shot in Matera:

The Passion of the Christ (2004)
No Time to Die (2021)
Wonder Woman (2017)

🌟 Top Things to Do in Matera

🪔 1. Explore the Sassi Districts

Wander the winding stone alleys of Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso — two neighborhoods of ancient cave homes, some turned into shops, restaurants, and boutique hotels.

⛪ 2. Visit the Rock Churches

Don’t miss:

Santa Maria de Idris
San Pietro Barisano
Santa Lucia alle Malve

These churches are literally carved from rock and adorned with ancient frescoes.

🏡 3. Step Inside a Cave Home

Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario is a preserved cave dwelling where you can see how families lived here until the 1950s.

🌄 4. Catch the View from Murgia Timone

For the most Instagrammable view of Matera, head to this panoramic point across the ravine — best at sunset or twilight.

🏰 5. Tour Matera Cathedral

Perched high on the ridge between the two Sassi, the 13th-century cathedral offers sweeping views and stunning architecture.

🛌 Where to Stay: Sleep in a Cave

Yes, you can sleep in a luxury cave hotel — and it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

✨ Top Picks:

Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel
Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort

🍝 What to Eat in Matera

Matera’s food is all about simple, bold flavors from the region:

🥖 Pane di Matera – hearty local bread with IGP status
🍲 Crapiata – traditional bean-and-grain stew
🌭 Lucanica sausage – spicy, rustic sausage from Basilicata
🍷 Local wines – try Aglianico del Vulture and Primitivo

📅 Best Time to Visit Matera

Spring (April–June) and Fall (September–October) are ideal: fewer crowds, perfect weather
Summer is beautiful but hot and busier
Matera also hosts cultural events year-round — ask locals what's happening!

🚗 How to Get to Matera

From Bari Airport: ~1 hour drive
By Train: Take the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane from Bari Centrale
By Bus: FlixBus and others offer routes from major cities

👉 Tip: Matera is easiest to reach by car if you're doing a Puglia–Basilicata road trip.

✨ Insider Tips

✅ Wear comfortable shoes — the Sassi are full of stairs and cobbled paths
✅ Plan for early mornings or late afternoons for the best photos
✅ Allow time to get lost — that’s when Matera is most magical

🧳 Final Thoughts: Why Matera Should Be on Your Italy Bucket List

If you're looking for an experience that combines history, culture, cuisine, and cinematic beauty, Matera is your dream destination. From wandering ancient alleyways to sipping wine in a candlelit cave, every moment here feels like stepping into a storybook.