Ipogeo MateraSum: Unveiling Matera's Subterranean Secrets

Ipogeo MateraSum, often referred to as Matera's underground city, is a captivating journey into the depths of Matera's past. This extensive hypogeum, located a stone's throw from the central Piazza Vittorio Veneto, extends over 1200 square meters and reaches a depth of 12 meters below street level. Once considered the edge of town when the population was clustered in the Sassi districts, it now reveals itself as a city beneath the city. Inside, you'll discover a network of environments carved into the calcarenite rock, also known as tuff, the signature stone of Matera. These spaces, created by the ingenious inhabitants of Matera, served various purposes throughout the centuries, including homes, streets, cisterns, production sites, and places of worship. The museum showcases a remarkable example of the engineering skills of the people of Matera. The history of MateraSum intertwines with that of the noble Malvezzi family of Matera, who owned the building above the hypogea. Starting in the 18th century, the family used the complex as a warehouse for goods coming from the fields. A visit to Ipogeo MateraSum provides a unique perspective on Matera's layered history, offering a fascinating look into the daily lives of those who once dwelled in this remarkable subterranean world.