Matera · Basilicata

Matera

The oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe.
UNESCO World Heritage Site. European Capital of Culture 2019.

Matera is unlike any other city in Italy, or in the world. Situated on the edge of a deep limestone ravine in the heart of Basilicata, it has been inhabited continuously since the Palaeolithic period, making it one of the oldest human settlements on Earth. Its ancient districts, the Sassi — two neighbourhoods of cave dwellings carved into the rock of the Murgia — were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993 as “the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and ecosystem.”

Once called “the shame of Italy” (its cave dwellings were forcibly evacuated in the 1950s due to public health concerns) Matera has undergone a remarkable transformation. From the 1980s onwards, restoration work began, and the Sassi were gradually reborn as homes, hotels, restaurants and museums. The 1993 UNESCO designation cemented the city’s renaissance, and in 2019, Matera became European Capital of Culture, confirming its place as one of Europe’s most extraordinary destinations.

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A city that reveals itself slowly.

Matera rewards patience and is best explored at a leisurely pace, wandering through its narrow streets and dead-end alleys to appreciate its architectural layout and try to get a sense of the way of life when it was still home to a rural community. Explore it ideally with a guide who knows what lies beneath the surface.

Sasso Caveoso & Sasso Barisano

The two ancient districts that make up the heart of Matera’s UNESCO site. Caveoso looks south and retains its most ancient form; Barisano, oriented northwest, is richer in carved portals and friezes. Between them rises the Civita, the rocky spur capped by the Romanesque Cathedral.

Rock churches

More than 150 rock churches are carved into the ravine walls around Matera. Santa Maria de Idris, cut into a rocky outcrop at the heart of the Sasso Caveoso, and San Pietro Caveoso, overlooking the ravine, are the most extraordinary, with their Byzantine and medieval frescoes still intact.

Palombaro Lungo: the giant underground water tank

An ancient system of underground cisterns beneath the main square, built over centuries to collect and store rainwater. A pretty impressive feat of hydraulic ingenuity that ensured Matera’s population had a water supply for generations.

Parco della Murgia Materana

The Murgia plateau is an archaeological and natural park that is co-listed with the Sassi as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located across the Gravina canyon from the Sassi. Here, visitors can see rock churches, Neolithic settlements and walking paths with views back to the city that cannot be experienced from any other vantage point.

Travel with locals

Slow Italy Tours & Matera Turismo

Matera is our home. We know every stone.

Slow Italy Tours is a brand created by Ferula Viaggi, a tour operator founded in Matera in the early 2000s. We offer a range of experiences in Matera, from the classic Sassi walking tour to private access to noble palaces, family treasure hunts, cycling on the Murgia plateau and half-day trips to the Cripta del Peccato Originale.

Experiences in Matera

Tour of the Sassi
A full day in the Sassi
Rock churches tour
Artisan workshops
Historic palaces & contemporary art
Family treasure hunt
Ultralight flight over the Murgia
Cycling on the Murgia
Food & bread experience

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Your journey starts here

A true connoisseur’s experience for food lovers: sample fine local wines, cheeses, liqueurs, baked goods, and the famous crispy peppers.

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Want to go deeper into Matera?

Our specialist Matera division, Matera Turismo, is entirely dedicated to experiences in and around the town of the Sassi. Guided tours, food&wine experiences, hikes, and bespoke programmes are all managed through our Matera Turismo team.

Visit Matera Turismo ↗

Are you an outdoor sports lover?

Wish to explore Matera and the surrounding area on two wheels? In Matera, we also run a Bike Shop where you can hire a bike for a day or even prepare it for an unforgettable cycling adventure across the Basilicata region, the Puglia region or both combined!

Hire a bike ↗