Cave di Matera, Matera Travel Guide

The Cave di Matera, also known as the Sassi di Matera, are a remarkable complex of cave dwellings located in Matera, Basilicata, Southern Italy. This ancient city presents a unique landscape where homes, churches, monasteries, and hermitages are carved directly into the Murgia's limestone rock. Inhabited since the Paleolithic period, the Sassi showcase a continuous history of human settlement spanning millennia.The Sassi are divided into two main districts, Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso. Sasso Caveoso retains a more rugged, cave-like appearance, offering a glimpse into the past with its ancient cave houses. In contrast, Sasso Barisano features more traditional houses and palazzi that have been excavated from the rock.Over the centuries, the caves evolved from simple shelters into complex structures. The Sassi once housed the city's poorest residents, often living in poverty-stricken conditions without basic amenities. However, these unique dwellings have been transformed into homes, restaurants, museums, and hotels, attracting artists, journalists, and travelers worldwide.Matera's blend of history, architecture, and natural beauty has made it a popular filming location and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.