Matera, Italy: ancient cave city. Italy: Sassi di Matera is a city of cave hotels. Dead city Krako
We were on our way to Sicily. In order to have time to see Matera and not to be completely stunned by the move, we decided to spend the night in Cosenza. On the way to Cosenza, we stopped at Matera - another amazing city.
The first inhabitants appeared here already in the Paleolithic times. It is believed that the city was founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. Further, the city repeatedly changed owners from the Saracens to the Normans. Matera managed to be the capital of Basilicata until Napoleon came and returned the title of capital to Potenza. In September 1943, Matera rose up against the German occupiers - the first italian city, who began the fight against the Wehrmacht.
Modern Matera seemed to be a rather large, noisy and lively city. At the tourist office, we were provided with a map and happily informed that in the evening it was expected ... alive. Of course, we did not stay at the nativity scene - we had to saw in Cosenza, but it must be that the living nativity scene in Matera is also very fabulous. Armed with a map and figuring out a rough route, we set off to trample the centuries-old pavements in Old city, which is called Sassi (literally "stones"). The name Sassi comes from prehistoric troglodyte times. It is assumed that this was the first settlement in the territory modern Italy. Sassi met us with a small Christmas market.
However, not paying attention to the market, we immediately ran to the first "view" point indicated on the map - wow, what a view!
Meanwhile, at the market, people are queuing for a warm wine drink, reminiscent of gluwine. In addition, there was a tasting of local wine.
We immediately popped into a lazy cafe for coffee and to look at the few people who were walking around the market and trying local products.
A kind butcher, where you can try different sausages (we somehow didn’t really like his sausage)
And in a nearby tent, you can have a bite of tried-and-tested sausage with chic bread with olive oil (but it was delicious)
Having walked around the market, motherly grannies sat down to rest
Here we meet an inconspicuous santa church Chiara, which was built at the end of the 17th century. The workers of the seminary, which by that time had been founded in Matera, cost the church. The portal of the church is very simple and geometric. The central niche is occupied by the statue of Madonna del Carmine. In the side niches - St. Clara and St. Francis.
The impressive wooden doors look very medieval, although they were only made in the 18th century.
In the decor of this church, one single motif will be repeated - death. At that time (18th century) such embellishments were very much in vogue. Then death did not cause fear, but was considered the beginning of a new life. The wooden doors are divided into 36 panels, each dedicated to the theme of death - skulls and crossbones, sometimes dressed in the crowns of rulers, hinting that after death everyone is equal.
Right there, above the doors, the unfortunate soul is roasting under the supervision of two skeletons
We look inside - it is deserted and very joyful. Look at the wonderful colors and roses!
We leave the church and go deep into the maze of streets of Matera. It can be seen that the city, although quiet, but residential
Fortunately for us, the cloudy sky began to falter and the sun's rays began to break through the dense clouds.
Looks like a local bandit - the ear is torn
Who said that Matera is a dead city? Quite alive!
We reach another observation deck near the church of San Pietro Caveoso and greedily lick our lips at the troglodyte caves on the opposite side of la Gravina. Some lucky people wander there, look into the ancient dwellings, but we simply simply did not have enough time to take a walk on the other side of the Gravina.
Morton in "From Rome to Sicily. Walks in Southern Italy" writes: "On both slopes of the valley, empty cave houses were visible. One side of the river is called Sasso Caveoso, the other Sasso Barisano. The word "Sasso" means "rock" Until now, I have not seen anything like it.Unlike most cities, ashamed of their slums, Matera, confident in its unique scenic viewing platforms from which you can get a good view of the caves. There is even a Strada Panorama dei Sassi that spans the entire space. According to a local guidebook, it "offers the tourist an unusual experience."
However, our envy immediately ends, because it is on our side that one of the most important churches of Matera - San Pietro Caveoso, dedicated to the Apostle Peter, is located. The façade of San Pietro Caveoso took on its shape in the 13th and early 14th centuries, while the building itself was built in 1218. On the facade there are statues of saints: St. Paul, St. Peter and the Virgin, under the hem of which those who asked her for protection are hiding.
The Mother of God with the defendants - it is interesting that on the left the sufferers are depicted in caps. At the time when the church was being built, there were many religious brotherhoods, and such caps ensured the anonymity of the brothers.
Silence and calm reign inside the church, in December central location occupies an unusual den. It immediately captures the visitor's attention with its shape and its soft yellow light.
There were parishioners in the church, so we did not interfere with their prayers, but quietly retreated. True, we did not walk for long - just around the corner is Casa Grotto di vico Solitario - a cave museum. I highly recommend taking a tour there: it won't take much time, but it will give you a clear idea of how people lived in Matera literally until recently. It's hard to believe, but until the 50s and 60s, people continued to live in caves carved into the stone. In the 1950s, a campaign was launched to evict people from the Sassi, but people were reluctant to leave, some later returning to their centuries-old dwellings. Only here people could boast that they live in the same houses as their ancestors 9000 years ago. Until 1980, the empty dwellings were a haven for the homeless and the poor, until the city administration decided to take everything under its control. Through the efforts of the administration, Matera has become a tourist and cinematic city.
Here is what Morton writes about the old Mather:
"Matera... I can't remember anything written in English about this city. As far as I know, none of our early travelers visited it - neither Gissing nor Norman Douglas. The most complete account is in English translation- is the book by Carlo Levi "Christ stopped in Eboli". scary description. Readers of this book will remember that when the writer was exiled there in the 1930s for anti-fascist remarks, his sister, a doctor in Turin, was given permission to visit her brother in a remote mountain town south of Matera. Arriving in Matera by train, he was horrified by what he saw. In the 30s, half of the population of forty thousand people lived in caves on the opposite slopes of the river valley. “This is how schoolchildren imagine Dante's hell,” she told her brother.
“Due to the heat, the houses were open,” she continued, “and on the way I involuntarily looked into the caves, the light into which penetrated only through open doors. Some caves did not have a normal entrance at all, but only a hatch and steps. The dark openings showed earthen walls, miserable furniture, beds, and rags hung out to dry. 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. This is how twenty thousand people live.
There are a lot of children here. They appeared everywhere, in the dust, in the heat, among the flies, completely naked or dressed in rags. Never in my life have I seen such poverty ... Women, noticing that I was looking in the door, invited me to enter, and in the dark, in fetid caves, I saw children lying on the floor under torn blankets. They were feverish and chattering. Others, due to dysentery, were left with only skin and bones, and they could hardly drag their legs.
Miss Levy was followed by children, shouting something, but she did not understand their dialect. I thought they were asking for a penny to buy sweets, but then I made out their words: "Signorina, give me quinine."
So, let's look at a typical dwelling - a cave, hollowed out. At the entrance, we were asked in which language to turn on the accompaniment - inside there are columns from which the announcer broadcasts about life in such a cave. There lived a family with 7 children. Parents and babies slept on the bed, the rest - on chests and chests of drawers.
The small kitchenette is strategically placed above the water cistern - the ancient builders performed marvels of engineering by constructing a whole rainwater collection system under the old city. Each inhabitant had his own cistern under the cave. From the kitchen, water could be drawn "without leaving the cash register"
Quite a spacious room for people (although, of course, with sleeping places is not good)
Immediately, in the back of the dwelling - a room for livestock. One can only guess what "cozy, homely" smells inhabited this cave.
Having satisfied our curiosity, we continued our walk around the city. View of another part of the city - this part is already more like a "dead" city
And on the opposite side of la Gravina are tuff "houses" with no amenities at all.
Bricks wedged into the stones - this is the back wall of the Church of the Madonna de Idris
The intertwined streets of the Sassi were once again briefly illuminated by the sun.
City view. In the left corner you can see the top of the church with skulls, which I talked about above.
Morton: "It would be wrong to describe Sussie as cave city. There are houses built over caves - at various angles, of all sizes, periods and styles. They rise up in terraces; there are no roads, only narrow passages and steps leading up or down. There is also no building plan. Houses are more like termite mounds than human habitation."
Without noticing it, we wandered into the cinematic part of Matera
Matera (Sassi) played the role of Jerusalem in several films
"The Gospel According to St. Matthew" (1964)
"King David" (King David, 1985)
"The Passion of the Christ" (The Passion of the Christ, 2004)
"Divine Birth" (The Nativity Story, 2006)
Also filmed in Matera:
"She-Wolf" (La Lupa, 1953)
"Star Maker" The Star Maker, 1995)
"Omen" (The Omenа 2006)
And this plaque reminds me of Gibson, who walked these streets in The Passion of the Christ.
In the sun, Matera comes to life and becomes less gloomy than in cloudy weather
Lingerie in pastel colors
Accidentally came across a market with souvenirs and crafts
Somewhere materialized tourist group Italians - they began to buy whistles like hot cakes
And I was fascinated by owls :)
Local artists selling paintings in the same market are very inventive
Having risen higher from the market, we realized that we were in a completely abandoned part of the city. But what a view!
Abandoned, empty dwellings fascinated me, perhaps even more than a polished museum.
In some it is clear that once hung out either the homeless, or someone else
We ended our acquaintance with Matera with a cup of fragrant espresso. Of course, it would be great to spend the night in Matera and look at the city illuminated by lights and live in a cave, but this did not fit into our schedule at all ...
An extraordinary city, isn't it? Alberobello is a cozy and playful tale, while Matera is a monumental story.
In one of the most distinctive regions of Italy, in sunny Basilicata, is small town that attracts the attention of unusual story and unique architecture. The ancient city of Matera, carved into the rock, is the center of the province of the same name and has been under the protection of UNESCO since 1993, becoming the first cultural and archaeological monument of southern Italy to be included in the World Heritage List.
It's hard to imagine, but a few decades ago the caves of Matera were inhabited! Today, this place is a unique instance of the urban ecosystem, the rarest architectural and landscape ensemble, immortalizing significant moments in the history of mankind with its nature: from primitive cave dwellings carved into the rock to complex urban structures built on the surface of the earth and integrated with natural landscape. We are extremely happy that Matera will become the European Capital of Culture in 2019!
Matera: history of origin
The history of Matera goes far back centuries. One of the most unusual features of this city is the fact that the territory of Matera has been continuously inhabited since the Paleolithic era up to the present day. It is believed that this amazing city is one of the oldest in the world.
In the caves scattered along the Materan Gorge, various objects were found, indicating that a settlement has existed in this place since the Paleolithic times. According to the conclusions of archaeologists, the first villages in these places began to appear during the Neolithic period. From the dwellings of this time period, recesses for logs, scraped out in the rocks, as well as cisterns for water, grain storage, and even ancient tombs, have survived to this day.
Greek culture had a great influence on the development of the city. It can be said with almost certainty that Matera is a truly Greek city. This assumption is confirmed by the image on his coat of arms of a bull - a typical symbol Greater Greece. Other researchers believe that this bull is the emblem of the ancient Greek city Metaponto, whose inhabitants were forced to flee to Matera after their hometown was destroyed by the Romans. In addition, spikelets of grain, decorating the same coat of arms of Matera, are an integral part of ancient Greek coins.
In the period of the late Middle Ages, after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Matera experienced the most difficult and turbulent times, passing under the control of the Lombards, then the Byzantines, then the Saracens, until in 867 she became a victim of a bloody battle of Louis II, who united with the Lombards against the troops of the Saracens. A relatively quiet period for Matera began in the 11th century with the arrival of the Normans.
From the first half of the 16th century, the city began to fight for its own autonomy. The beginning of this was the events of 1514, when the Materans rebelled against the tyrannical policy of Giovan Carlo Tramontano, who established unheard of high taxes for the population.
In the second half of the 17th century, Matera, under the control of Spain, became the main city of Basilicata and at the same time the seat of the Royal Court. This served as an impetus for demographic growth and a construction boom, but also led to social decline. A sharp increase in population forced the Materans to settle in premises previously used for industrial purposes, and riots began to flourish in the streets.
In 1927 Matera became administrative center province of the same name. It was only in 1952 that the construction of new residential quarters began and the Materans began to leave their cave dwellings. At that time, about 15,000 people lived in the grottoes of Matera. The last "cave dwellers" of Matera were resettled only in the 70s of the 20th century. In 1986, the Sassi di Matera, which remained abandoned for several decades, began to be gradually restored, and in 1993 this amazing city was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Mother Earth or still the Starry Sky
The cave city of Matera, whose name sounds rather courageous and fearless, is so ancient that it is not easy to trace the origin of this name. Regarding the origins of its origin, there are many curious assumptions, although it is not known for certain how the ancient inhabitants called this settlement in prehistoric times.
According to some researchers, the city of Matera in antiquity was called Mateola, and this name comes from the Greek Mataios olos, which means "Everything is empty." This theory is quite justified, given the fact that the city is, in fact, a hollow rock.
Another assumption relates to the important historical event during the Hellenistic period, when in the 1st century BC this settlement accepted refugees from the Greek cities of Metaponto and Heraclea destroyed by the Romans, whose names served to form the new toponym Met + Hera.
It is possible that Matera comes from the word Mather, that is, Madre Terra, which means "Mother Earth" in Italian.
In addition to the above hypotheses, there is a more romantic interpretation of the origin of the word Matera. Some researchers claim that the name of the city comes from the Greek Metèoron, which means "starry sky". This version has a right to exist. After all, if you imagine Matera in ancient times, when lighting lamps burned near the dwellings of the Materans at night, the city, shimmering with numerous lights, from afar became like a real starry sky.
The city of Matera is a unique residential complex
Today, Matera is a real treasure of Basilicta, exceptional and original, attracting the attention of numerous tourists from all over the world. The Sassi di Matera, as the historical center of the city is called today, consists of three factions: Sasso "Caveoso", Sasso "Barisano" and the "Civita" area, located on a hill.
The old quarters of Matera are a network of narrow lanes and steep stairs, arches and underground galleries. In addition to the cave dwellings of the poor, here you can see the palaces of wealthy citizens with balconies and wide terraces, as well as numerous churches, which, like all other units of urban architecture, are dug into the tuff.
The multi-level structure of the city is equipped unique system water supply, functioning at the expense of numerous tanks adapted to collect atmospheric precipitation. Even during the hottest period, the water in the system remained fresh and cool.
Transfers Matera
KiwiTaxi offers comfortable transfers in Italy. Experienced drivers will meet you personally and take you to the hotel, airport, railway station, sea port or at the given address.
The dwellings of the Materans are scraped out of tuff, a unique porous mountain rock that is easy to work and at the same time quite durable. From the tuff mass left after the space dug in the rock for future housing, they laid out the front wall, leaving room for the front door and window - the only source of natural light. Surplus tuff was sold to wealthier residents who could afford to build additional premises on the surface, thus increasing the area of their own housing. In front of the grotto, as a rule, there was a vegetable garden, arranged on the roof of another resident's house located at a level below.
Each habitable cell had its own water cistern, where liquid was supplied from the upper, larger reservoirs, as well as from small drainage gutters provided for each individual grotto. The tanks are interconnected, so the water is evenly distributed among all the houses.
The liquid entering the accumulators was settled and became suitable for consumption. Since the tanks were located in the basement of the house, access to water was through a special hole in the floor of the dwelling.
Cave city of Matera: housing arrangement
In different historical periods, the number of inhabitants of Matera reached 15 thousand people. On a rather limited area of the grotto, several generations had to get along. It is hard to believe, but in addition to the owners themselves, their animals also lived in tuff caves. Of course, the presence of cats and dogs in the house is not surprising to anyone, but in the grottoes of Matera, along with people, there were rabbits, chickens, donkeys and even horses! Electricity was brought to the city only in the third decade of the 20th century. Poor families could afford to buy just one light bulb.
In addition, in the houses of the poor, as a rule, there was only one bed: wide and high, as well as one table, at which only two people could fit. Stocks of firewood or hay were stored under the bed, and a hen was placed there. The height of the couch could reach one meter, adults slept on it. The smallest were placed in cradles, older children and teenagers were located on large chests with grain or clothes.
Materans cooked food on small wood stoves, but bread was baked in public bakeries. They say that to avoid confusion, each housewife put appropriate family marks on her product.
Laundries were also common in Matera. Instead of washing powder, ash was used in ancient times.
Hotels in Matera
Matera, Italy: ancient cave city
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 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, Ridola Museum, superb 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 the amazing 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 the administrative center of the 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 converted into luxury hotels and restaurants, and the entire complex was included in the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites in 1993 - 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.
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 of the chosen karst caves for the enemy and predators. 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 the main feature of the 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 its gigantic dimensions it was nicknamed the “Long Diver”: its walls reach a height of 15 m, and they move underground by boat along it. 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 the population of the Sassi was resettled in 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 listed as a site world heritage UNESCO.
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).
■ Matera Cathedral (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, which is found in moated ancient settlements and caves around the city of Matera and other places in 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 tank was cleaned: it was lowered through the neck small child who scraped out 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).
