Cave city of matera in italy. Italy: Sassi di Matera - the city of cave hotels
If we accept a figurative comparison of the outlines with a boot, then Matera really finds herself between his “heel” and “sole”.
Matera is the center of the southern Italian province of the same name, located near a small canyon, along the bottom of which the small river Gravina flows. The canyon, formed as a result of water erosion processes, is located on the Murgia plateau - a limestone hill, in which the Gravina River formed other forms of karst relief - caves, funnels and gullies, which are found in many both around the city and right in it.
The place seems rather inhospitable: there are only limestone rocks around, there is practically no soil on them, which is why there are few trees. Vegetation, if there is anywhere, is thorny bushes clinging to the slopes of the canyon.
Oddly enough, however, since the Paleolithic times, people have settled in this inhospitable-looking canyon of the Murge plateau. Perhaps the first inhabitants of these places appreciated the inaccessibility for the enemy and predators of the chosen karst caves. In the caves, even today, traces of the life of Paleolithic-Neolithic people are still found.
It is known for sure that before the Greeks and Romans appeared on the territory of modern Matera, Lucans lived here - people of one of the ancient Italian tribes, distinguished by extreme militancy: if they did not fight with their neighbors, then they left to serve as mercenaries to the Macedonians.
When the city appeared here, it is not known exactly: according to one version, it was founded by the Romans in the 111th century. BC e. In ancient times, it was called Mateola - a tribute to the ancient Roman consul Quintus Caecilius Metella of Numidia (circa 160-91 BC), who made a lot of efforts to protect the city: under his supervision, the city was surrounded by high fortifications. This was necessary because Matera was located next to the Appian Way, the inhabitants grew rich by reselling wheat and serving passing merchants. Favorable position had reverse side: the city was sacked more than once during riots, and during the Second Punic War (218-202 BC), the Carthaginians completely destroyed it.
When the Western Roman Empire perished during the invasion of the Gothic tribes, in the V-VI centuries. Matera was first under the rule of Byzantium, and in Vll. it was captured by the Lombards, and the city became part of the Duchy of Benevente - part of the Lombard kingdom.
In the Vll-Vlll centuries. temples carved into them appeared in the rocks, which were created by the monks - the Benedictines and Basilians. This was before Christianity split into Catholicism and Orthodoxy.
The era of the early Middle Ages is a series of endless feudal wars in southern Italy. At the end of the Vlll. Matera was captured by the detachments of the King of the Franks Charles (7 42 (7 48-814), in the 9th century - the King of Italy Louis II (825-875). At the end of the 10th century, the townspeople barely managed to keep the city besieged by the Saracens, when they tried to create a foothold in southern Italy to capture the entire peninsula.At the beginning of the 11th century the city was captured by the Byzantines, and in 1043 by the Normans of Count William the Iron Hand (about 1010-1046).
Right through the Second World War, Matera remained a quiet province, trembling from time to time from earthquakes. But on September 21, 1943, on the eve of the entry of the Anglo-American troops, Matera became the first city in Italy to raise an uprising against the German invaders.
STONE HIVE
Indeed, in Italy, if someone says about “pietra alveare” - a stone beehive, then those around them will understand without explanation that we are talking about Matera.
The historical center of Matera is called Sassi (in Italian "Stones"): this is a relatively small area of rhombic outlines with sides of about 500 m. During the ancient Greeks, there was an ancient acropolis, which is being excavated today. But main feature Sassi is that this part of Matera is carved into the rock, for which it received the nickname La Citta Sotterania, or underground city. The city consists of many natural grottoes, catacombs, water reservoirs, arcades, residential buildings, churches and even palaces. All of them are either made of stone or carved right into the rock, creating a unique natural and urban landscape. In some places of the city, the streets run along the roofs of houses.
The city authorities have figured out how to use the caves without harm to them: right in the cave complex of St. Nicholas, an annual retrospective of contemporary sculpture by Grandi Mostre nei Sassi is held.
The architects of antiquity paid special attention to the creation of water rain reservoirs: it is not at all easy to raise water to the city from the river. The largest reservoir has survived to this day, for giant size it was nicknamed the "Long Diver": its walls reach a height of 15 m, and it is moved underground by boat. Like the other reservoirs in Matera, the Long Diver is designed to collect rainwater from where it is distributed throughout the city.
Back in the first half of the twentieth century. it became clear that it was no longer possible to leave people in this ancient place, where people lived in rooms built 9 thousand years ago. In addition, the area constantly suffered from malaria, spreading from the river and stagnant water in ancient reservoirs. In the 1950s most of population of the Sassi was relocated to purpose-built modern districts, to the west and north of the historic core of the city (many had to be forcibly relocated, so they got used to their caves). Since there is not enough money for the resettlement program, many residents of Matera today live in the rocks - without any amenities. For many mothers, this situation is familiar: the poverty rate is very high here, and the incomes of the population are the lowest in Italy.
Almost in the very center of the Sassi rises a cathedral with a 52 m high square bell tower. This is the first above ground church that belonged to the brotherhood of Christ the Flagellated. The cathedral was founded in 1230, when Matera became the residence of the archbishop. Construction was completed only in the 1270s. King of Sicily, Charles I of Anjou (1227-1285). At first, the cathedral was dedicated to St. Eustachius, the patron saint of the city. In 1318, the city authorities raised the status of the cathedral, "re-dedicating" it in honor of the Madonna della Bruna. The birth of the cult of this Madonna and the feast of Our Lady of della Bruna is connected with the same time.
Every year on July 2 at five in the morning, the “Procession of the Shepherds” with a painting of the Mother of God passes through the whole city. At noon, the townspeople march through Matera, accompanying the statue of the Madonna della Bruna, moving on a large papier-mâché cart drawn by mules. The cart is followed by the archbishop with the clergy, guarded by the "knights of della Bruna" in iron armor. At the end of the procession in Piazza Vittorio Veneta, the wagon is left, the townspeople break it into pieces and take it home - hay is happiness.
In 1993, Sassi - "City in the Rocks" - together with its ancient rock temples and Byzantine-style frescoes, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
SIGHTS IN MATERA
Historical:
■ The historic center of the Sassi (Sasso Caveoso, Sasso Barisano and Civita, circa 670).
■ Water tank Palombaro Lungo (“Long Diver”, 1st millennium BC).
Architectural:
■ Tramontano Castle (beginning of the 16th century).
■ Palace el Sedile (1540).
■ Palace of Lanfranca (1668-1672).
■ Palace d'Anunziata (1735).
■ Ferdinand Fountain (1832).
■ Villa Longo (XIX c.).
Iconic:
■ Church of Lucius on Mallow (VIII century).
■ Church of Our Lady of Virtue (IX century).
■ Church of St. Barbara (IX-X centuries),
■ Church of St. Peter Barisano (X century).
■ Church of Our Lady Hodegetria (XII century).
■ Church of St. John (XII century).
■ Church of St. Francis of Assisi (XIII century).
■ Church of San Domenico (1230).
■ Cathedral Matera (1270).
■ Church of St. Clara (late 17th century).
■ Monastery of St. Augustine (1592).
Cultural:
■ Paleontological Museum.
■ Museum of Contemporary Sculpture MUSMA.
■ National Museum medieval and modern art.
■ Domenico Ridola National Museum.
■ Archaeological excavations on Timmari Hill.
Natural:
■ national park plateaus of Alta Murja.
■ Historic natural and archaeological park Murgia-Materana (Sasso, Murgia plateau, Gravina river gorge, 1990).
■ nature reserve and Lake San Giuliano.
■ Timmari Hill.
CURIOUS FACTS
■ Matera is also the name of Middle Neolithic pottery found in moated ancient settlements and caves around the city of Matera and elsewhere Southern Italy. This is a dark polished ceramic in the form of goblets and jugs, with a rectangular geometric ornament, scratched after firing and filled with red ocher. Tayuka matera is a dark thin-walled dish painted with wide scarlet stripes.
■ Some researchers believe that Matera was founded by the ancient Greeks. As proof, they cite the old coat of arms of the city with the image of an ox and ears of wheat - a very common symbol of the Ancient One, found on coins. The image of a bull with three ears of wheat has been preserved on the coat of arms of the city to this day. The emblem bears the motto Bos Lassus Firmius Figit Pedem, which can be translated from Latin as "The ox is tired of pulling the yoke", which reflects the events of centuries ago, when the townspeople rebelled against taxes and intimidation from the feudal lords.
■ There is no consensus on the name of the city, which could come from mata (a pile of stones), meteoron (starry sky, since at night the Sassi cave houses, lit from the inside, looked like it), madre terra (Mother Earth), matterah (prison) or te terah ( pure water).
■ B historical center Many gardens were built by the Sassi, right above the caves, which were used as cemeteries during the Renaissance. A paradoxical situation was created: people lived underground, and the dead were literally buried above their heads.
■ The houses are carved into the limestone so that in summer sunlight fell vertically into the dwelling from above and did not heat up the room, but in winter it penetrated at an angle deeper into the grottoes and warmed them. This, in particular, helped to maintain a fairly high temperature in the cave houses all year round.
■ Matera's water tanks are built to allow natural water filtration: stone cavities are cut into an inverted cone shape, solids settle in the narrow part of the sump, and the surface retains water suitable for drinking. Once or twice a year, the cistern was cleaned: a small child was lowered through the neck, scraping the dirt.
■ The life of the inhabitants of Matera was extremely simply equipped because of the cramped conditions. The bed, as a rule, was one - wide and very high, up to 120 cm from the floor: it was warmer, and under the bed there was a place for hay (cattle and poultry were kept in the next room) and firewood. The children slept in the drawers of the chest of drawers. The table was small, mother and father were sitting at it, and the children ate standing up.
■ Electricity came to Matera only in the 1930s.
■ During the Second World War, Matera became famous for the exceptional courage of its citizens, who were the first in southern Italy to take up arms against Italian and German fascism. After the war, the city was awarded the State Silver Medal "For military valor - (Al valore militare) - as stated in the certificate," for exceptional self-sacrifice.
■ The unusual view of the city, which evokes associations with the biblical description of Jerusalem, attracted prominent filmmakers who made such famous feature films here as "The Gospel According to Matthew" (Pier Paolo Pasolini, 1964), "Christ Stopped at Eboli" (Francesco Rosi, 1979 ), "King David" (Bruce Beresford, 1985), "The Passion of the Christ" (Mel Gibson, 2004), "The Omen" (John Moore, 2006), "Ben-Hur" (Timur Bekmambetov , 2016).
The original city of Matera (region ), known throughout the world as the city of "Sassi" and cultural capital Europe 2019. Matera is one of ancient cities in a world that can amaze the traveler with the antipode of luxury and grandeur - its own simplicity and originality.
In 1993, the UNESCO organization declared the "Sassi" quarter of Matera. This area contains evidence of human habitation from the Paleolithic era to the present day and highlights the ability of people to adapt to environment and its conditions.
Matera is a city that offers visitors a history that is in constant openness and in close contact with the customs and traditions of the past. If you try to draw a rough portrait of the city of Matera, it will be something like an incendiary mixture of narrow alleys and stones, numerous churches and beautiful natural panoramas, good cuisine and warm hospitality of a southern Italian. In general, friends, Matera is not only rocky "Sassi", but also ancient history and beautiful architecture that "remembers" such famous historical figures as Giovanni Pascoli and Carlo Levi, as well as our popular contemporary Mel Gibson, actor and director of the film "The Passion of the Christ", which was filmed in Matera.
Today, the portal "Italy in Russian" tells about the ten most important sights of Matera, which should not be missed.
Note to the traveler: the nearest airport to the city of Matera is in Bari; The distance from the airport of Palese (Bari-Palese) to Matera is only about 60 km.
Old town - Borgo Antico
The old city of Matera is unique as it emerged from caves carved into the rock and then took the form of more complex structures. The territory of Borgo Antico is divided into two regions - Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, which preserve in the very center the rocky "skeleton", Civita, which for many millennia was invisible and inaccessible to enemies.
Civita houses the historic residences of the local nobility and the Cathedral of Matera. Along the Sasso Caveoso, there is a Roman amphitheater and previously inhabited caves that preserve the most ancient secrets of the city. Sasso Barisano, which takes its name from an ancient noble family, concentrates small shops and shops. To go on a historical tour, from the Paleolithic era to the present day, we advise you to wear comfortable shoes!
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
The Church of St. Francis of Assisi has a harmonious and elegant late Baroque façade designed by the architects Vito Valentino and Tommaso Pennetta, overlooking a wide central square San Francesco. The current church was built on top of the underground church of Saints Peter and Paul, which can still be visited through a hatch. An ancient fresco depicting the visit of Pope Urban II to Matera in 1093 has been preserved here. The first structure of the church dedicated to Saint Francis dates back to 1200, however, it was not until 1700 that the cathedral reached its magnificence. The interior of the church consists of a single nave with chapels and has a special charm, thanks to the spectacular polyptych work of Lazzaro Bastiani, a painter of the Venetian school of the sixteenth century. It is said that in 1218 the church gave shelter to St. Francis of Assisi. Be sure to visit this temple, friends!
San Pietro Barisano
To make your walk even more enjoyable, we suggest you get to San Pietro Barisano, the largest cave temple Matera, located in Sasso Barisano, which seems to be suspended over an abyss. Of particular interest to the tourist is the bell tower of the temple, resting on a rock, and the facade, built using tufa blocks. The interior of the church has three naves separated by massive columns and six altars carved in tufa. Luckily, you can still see the small church building, with walls covered in frescoes of bright colors in excellent condition. You will also find a very beautiful crypt here, where everything has remained untouched since ancient times.
Ridol Museum
To better understand long history city of Matera, we recommend that you make a stop at the Ridola Museum, where you will go on a Grand Tour, starting from prehistory to the 3rd century BC. oldest museum in the city is located in the premises of the monastery of Santa Clara of the seventeenth century, it was founded in 1911 at the behest of Senator Ridola, who donated his important archaeological collection to the state - the result of many years of research and excavations. Numerous museum exhibits testify to Everyday life prehistoric inhabitants of Matera, in addition, there are collected many artifacts relating to the period of dominance in the territory of the ancient Greeks. If you love history, be sure to visit the Ridola Museum!
The ticket costs 2.50 euros.
Church of San Giovanni Battista
The Church of San Giovanni Battista is one of the most important examples medieval architecture in southern Italy and is characterized by typical Romanesque architectural motifs with an oriental touch. Located a stone's throw from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, the temple rises on the left side of Piazza San Rocco. The original façade of the church is bricked up because it was included in the garden of the old hospital; access to the temple is through a side door decorated with floral patterns and columns with capitals. While the exterior façade "deceives" the visitor with its Romanesque style and precious sculptures, the inside of the church hides the characteristic gothic lancet arches. You will be delighted!
Palazzo Lanfranchi
Before entering the Sasso Caveoso area, near Piazza Pascoli, you will see the charming and elegant baroque façade of the Palazzo Lanfranchi, which in 2003 housed the National Art Museum contemporary art Basilicata. Conceived by the Bishop of Lanfranca, the historic palazzo housed a seminary and high school where Pascoli taught. Today it houses a museum divided into four areas: religious art, an art gallery that belonged to Camillo D "Errico, contemporary art and demo-ethnoanthropology. The biggest surprise for the museum visitor you will find on the ground floor: the impressive painting "Lucania" 61 "by Carlo Levi wrote in honor of the centenary of the unification of Italy.
Church of Santa Maria di Idris
Matera is a city of surprise where the surprise and excitement of the visitor never ends! Located in the heart of the Sasso Caveoso quarter, Santa Maria di Idris is wedged between the rocks at the top of Monterrone and offers the visitor a fantastic view of the Sassi. Inside, very small and simple, consisting of a single nave and walls with the remains of ancient frescoes dating back to the thirteenth century, this temple was dedicated to Our Lady of Idris. In ancient times, during a drought, women climbed the stairs leading to the church on their knees, asking for God's mercy in the form of rain.
Grottoes in the Sassi
Have you ever wondered what it was like for our ancestors to live inside stone caves? You can find out all the details in Matera, which preserves among its streets typical dwellings carved into the rocks - the Sassi. Examples cave dwellings are located in the heart of Sasso Caveoso: they are simply decorated and typical household objects are preserved here. Poor large families lived in Sassi Matera, and this happened not at all in prehistoric times, but in our days, right up to the end of the 50s of the last century.
Palombaro Lungo
locals Maters experienced great difficulty with water resources. Therefore, many canals and trenches were dug under the city streets to collect water and a whole system of various cisterns was laid. Matera was once called the "Trench Village".
The city zealously guards its underground history and about a thousand old water tanks. Among them, the most extensive and longest is Palombaro Lungo, accessible for inspection from Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Going down, you will see with your own eyes the bowels of a reservoir sixteen meters in diameter, in which water was placed, necessary to meet the needs of all people during a drought. The cisterns have now been emptied and restored, but visiting them is not recommended for those who suffer from claustrophobia.
Murgia Matherana Natural Park
For lovers hiking and trekking Matera is perfect place for a trip: Murgia Park, one of the most picturesque natural parks Italy, offers many interesting routes among emerald green vegetation and blue skies. Starting from the Civita quarter and continuing to the river, crossing a rope bridge, you will find yourself on the other side of the city, from where you can enjoy amazingly breathtaking views of the caves and rock temples of the city of Matera. This is a place untouched by man, where you can easily feel like a part of a fantastic "wild" world.
Photo Thinstock, skyscanner.it
I continue to acquaint you with the most interesting places that I managed to see in the south of Italy.
Matera is a city in Basilicata in Italy, famous all over the world. historical quarters Sassi, where the listed cave houses are located world heritage UNESCO.
Matera is an ancient city, a settlement on this site existed in the Neolithic era, and even then the relationship with the rocks was very close.
The core of the city originated on the opposite slopes of the river valley, called the crevice of Gravina di Matera.
At times Greater Greece Matera was Greek city, whose center was Civita. Today, the Cathedral, built in the 13th century, rises here.
In the Roman era, the city was fortified with a wall, and numerous grottoes and rocky massifs began to be used for the construction of village dwellings, this is how the Sassi quarters were born.
The construction of houses in caves was due climatic conditions and the need for protection, as well as in order to make better use of the natural and geographical opportunities of the place.
The streets of the cave city were narrow with many steps and ladders.
In 1623, Matera became the capital of Basilicata and remained so until 1806, when Napoleon Bonaparte moved the capital to Potenza. It was the best period for Matera.
Local residents experienced great difficulties with water. Therefore, they spent their energy not on building houses, but on digging channels and trenches in limestone to collect water and a system of various cisterns.
After the Second World War, the book Christ Stopped at Eboli by Carlo Levi was published, in which Levi wrote about the unbearable conditions of life in the Sassi di Matera.
He was exiled to the south of Italy for anti-fascist statements, having arrived in Matera, he was horrified by what he saw. In the 1930s half of the population lived in caves, due to the heat, many houses were open, dogs, sheep, goats and pigs lay on the floor. “Most families had only one cave, and everyone slept together in it - men, women, children and animals.”
Carlo Levi saw Matera at a time when the population had grown to its limits. There was not enough space and more floors were built over the caves. Hanging gardens and kitchen gardens were no longer planted, and huge families lived in unsanitary conditions, without sewerage, without observing elementary hygiene standards.
In 1952, the authorities decided to move the residents to new quarters, freeing the cave houses. At that time, about 15 thousand people lived in Sassi. Many of them did not want to leave their homes and returned back, then the authorities walled up the entrances to the caves with cement.
In 1993, the Sassi di Matera (Sasso Caveoso, Sasso Barisano and Civita) was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
After the Sassi di Matera became uninhabited, they became the scenery for many films. Pier Paolo Pasolini filmed The Gospel According to Matthew in 1964 and Mel Gibson filmed The Passion of the Christ in 2004 here.
Grotto houses have been preserved in the city, some of them can be visited. In the middle of the room there is a high bed on which the whole family slept. Under the bed there is a pot, a trough and other utensils that were taken out during the day. There is also a stall for animals and a dining table. Kitchenette in a separate small room, another room was used as an utility room.
Light came into the house from a small window upstairs. The temperature in the houses was almost constant 15 degrees, the tuff in which the dwellings were arranged worked as a climate control.
Now the city is slowly being populated again, the state allocates 40% of the amount for the repair of the premises.
Souvenir workshops are open here.Until recently, the Sassi caves were inhabited by ordinary, and, moreover, the poorest (houses ancient man- not the most cozy place for living), Italians - now most of them have moved to the new Matera, and tourists live in Sassi. Thanks to the fantastic project Le Grotte della Civita, you can spend not only a day, but also a night, or even a week in the cave city: eighteen rooms with everything you need are arranged in the unconnected Sassi cave houses, and the public area of the unique hotel is located in a medieval church .
Both the cave and ground churches of the Sassi are interesting not only for their architecture, but also for their frescoes, many of which date back to the 11th-12th centuries.
Sources.
The Italian city of Matera is the oldest locality southern part of the country. It is located in the region of Basilicata. Matera is considered the best preserved example of an ancient cave settlement. From the point of view of the degree of value for world culture and science, this city can be given a well-deserved first place among similar settlements throughout the Mediterranean. A feature of the city of Matera is that the first local settlements date back to the Paleolithic period.
In 1993, the Italian city of Matera was added to the UNESCO list.
On a tour of ancient city you can see fantastic cave houses, cut right into the thickness of the rock and called in Italian “sassi” (“stones”). According to scientists, the age of the most ancient Sassi is about seven thousand years.
There are also more “younger” buildings here, the time of the construction of which is eloquently evidenced by churches erected presumably in the 6th century. The ceilings and walls of some churches in this so-called "cave" city of Matera are decorated with frescoes from the 11th and 12th centuries, which have been perfectly preserved to this day.
Caves carved into soft limestone and home to ancient settlements are now widely known among modern people. And this was greatly facilitated by the turbulent cinematic history of this region of Italy. The city of Matera with its colorful atmosphere and unique architecture can be seen in a huge number of Hollywood films.
Here they filmed both the Holy Christian Land and medieval Spain, and pre-war Sicily. And everywhere the streets of Matera served as natural and incredibly believable scenery for the unfolding action. The most famous paintings, the success of which was ensured, including thanks to such decorations, are The Gospel According to Matthew, King David, The Passion of the Christ and others.
After the release of the above films, Matera, absolutely unexpectedly for everyone, has already acquired a new role for itself: this city has become very popular among tourists. In terms of the number of visitors, it can compete with such Italian cities as Parma, Lucca, Bari and Verona.
Tourists are attracted here, first of all, by the peculiar beauty and unusual landscape. Similar structures can only be seen in the Crimea (Ukraine), Cappadocia (Turkey), as well as in some regions of China, Georgia and India. However, in no other place will tourists have the opportunity to see caves in which such wonderful frescoes have been perfectly preserved, as in the cave city of Matera.
In addition, the southern Italian city of Matera has many other sights that every tourist who visits the province of Basilicata must have in their collection. By the way, best photos Italy can be viewed on the tourist site tourister.ru. There are various and interesting photos Italy, admiring which, you will be seized by a great desire to visit this magnificent country.
Other attractions in Matera include Cathedral Square, the Museum of Ridol, the excellent Cathedral and some others. Having been in Italy on an excursion in Matera, a tourist should also not miss the opportunity to visit local restaurants and taste amazing food local cuisine. In summer, you can visit the annual St. Mary's Festival, which includes traditional fun fairs, various shows, concert programs and an incredible final fireworks display.
Book a hotel in Matera
To explore the sights of Matera, in particular the cave city of Matera, you will need somewhere to settle. Especially for you, below are the hotels of Matera, divided into three categories: popular hotels, luxury hotels and cheap hotels. Here you can book a room in the Matera hotel in advance according to your wishes and financial possibilities. For your convenience, here is information about the location of hotels relative to the city center, as well as the number of stars.
Simply select the hotel you like by clicking on the "View Hotel" button. Next, you will find yourself on a page where you can book a hotel. There is also more detailed information about it, reviews, ratings, photos, location on the map, features and, of course, prices.
If you wish to see other hotels, you can simply select the city "Matera" from above, and you will see a list of all Matera hotels available for booking.
Matera is one of the most famous Italian cities, located in the region of Basilicata perpendicular to a small gorge. These territories were inhabited by people as early as the Paleolithic, and the city itself, presumably, was founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. under the name of Matheola. In 664 Matera was captured by the Lombards and made part of the Duchy of Benevento. In the 7th-8th centuries, the surrounding caves were inhabited by Benedictine monks and followers of the Greek Orthodox Church. In the following centuries, fierce battles unfolded on these lands between the Saracens, Byzantines and German emperors, and Matera was repeatedly destroyed. After the Normans settled in Puglia in the 11th century, the city came under their rule. Only in the 15th century did Matera become the possession of the Aragonese dynasty, and later it was even the capital of Basilicata. In 1806, the capital title was transferred to Potenza, and in 1927, Matera became administrative center province of the same name. Interestingly, in 1943, the inhabitants of Matera were the first in Italy to revolt against the Nazi-German occupation.
All over the world, Matera is known for its "sassi" - antique dwellings carved right into the rocks. These Sassi are considered to be among the first human settlements in the territory. peninsula. Many sassi are ordinary caves, and the streets in some frequent " stone city are located right on the roofs of the houses. In the 1950s, the Italian government forcibly relocated the inhabitants of the Sassi to modern city, however, in recent decades, some families have returned. Today, Matera can be considered the only place in the world where people live in the same houses as their ancestors about 9,000 years ago. Many sassi have now been turned into luxury hotels and restaurants, and the entire complex was included in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1993. cultural heritage UNESCO is the first in southern Italy.
In addition to the Sassi, Matera has preserved numerous religious buildings, including churches carved into the rocks, which are considered one of the most interesting local attractions. An important architectural monument is the Cathedral of Santa Maria della Bruna, built in the 13th century in the Apulian-Romanesque style. Other notable churches are San Pietro Caveoso and San Pietro Barisano. Also worth seeing is the unfinished Castello Tramontano from the early 16th century. Also in Matera Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of the Middle Ages, the Museum of Peasant Civilization and the Museum of Modern Sculpture.
