Cave city of matera in italy. Italy: Sassi di Matera is a city of cave hotels. Cave city of Matera: housing arrangement

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. Ancient city 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 southern Italy inscribed on 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 the 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.

had a great influence on the development of the city Greek culture. 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 of Magna Graecia. Other researchers believe that this bull is the emblem of the ancient Greek city of Metaponto, whose inhabitants were forced to flee to Matera after they 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 the administrative center of the 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 the Hellenistic period, when in the 1st century BC this settlement accepted refugees from the ruins destroyed by the Romans Greek cities Metaponto (Metaponto) and Eraclea (Heraclea), the names of which served as the formation of a 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. Sassi di Matera - this is how it is called today historical Center cities - consists of three factions: Sasso "Caveoso", Sasso "Barisano" and the district "Civita", 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 in person and take you to the hotel, airport, Train Station, V 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

Among the many unique places in Italy, the ancient town of Matera, located in the south of the country, has an exceptional aura. The Basilica region, in which the city is located, occupies part of the Murge plateau, famous for its picturesque canyon.

Under the influence of the waters of the Gravina River, over the centuries, significant relief changes were formed - grottoes, caves, depressions of various sizes.

The exclusivity of the city lies in the unusual location of the caves, which were created not only by nature, but also by the first settlements, and served for more than one millennium as a safe haven for local residents. In view of this, this area is called a cave city.

Location of Matera on the map of Italy

According to historical research, the foundation of the city took place during the existence of the Roman Empire in the III-II century BC, although the first caves appeared here several millennia earlier.
After the collapse of the Empire in the 5th c. the city belonged to the tribes of the Ostrogoths, and then was the property of Byzantium. A huge number of temples in the rocks is associated with the appearance of Benedictine monks in the caves.

Being part of the Duchy of Benevente, the city was subjected to both attacks by the descendants of Charlemagne and attacks by troops of Louis II in 869.

In 994, the Saracens also made attempts to take possession of the "cave city".
In 1043, the control of the city passed to the Norman Count William I, and then to the Hohenstaufen dynasty.

The rule of the Aragonese family in 1442 was replaced by the arrival of a representative of the Tramontano dynasty, who was distinguished by a despotic attitude towards the population, collecting exorbitant taxes from the poor. For which he paid in the end - the people committed a lynching against him.

In 1663, Matera becomes the capital of the newly created Basilica area. In 1927, Matera was declared the administrative center of the province.

During the Second World War, local population took an active part in the rebel operations against the Nazis. But, unfortunately, the enemy side prevailed.

In connection with the conditions in which the cave population of Matera lived in the post-war period, the authorities decided to resettle the inhabitants of the caves in modern houses. And although most families existed below the poverty line, some of them returned to their homes and still live in them.

Attractions Matera

Historic Matera is under the protection of UNESCO and is the only landmark of its kind in Italy, which keeps the memory of the first settlements on the peninsula.

Also, the formation of the "city of rocks" was influenced by the identity of various civilizations, ranging from caves and sewers, and ending with fortifications and unique baroque architecture of the 17th century.

So, while in Matera, you should definitely visit:

Festivals and events

Back in 1380, Archbishop Urbano VI signed a decree on the celebration of July 2, the day of the Madonna. The event begins with a solemn Holy Mass. Then, on a wagon, which at the end of the procession will be taken apart by everyone for souvenirs, a statue of the Madonna is installed and driven through the streets. At the end of the event, residents and guests can admire the colorful fireworks.

Celebration of Madonna's Day in Matera

Where to stay

Hospitable Matera offers guests about 500 different hotels for every taste - from budget to luxurious, which include the maximum of services for a comfortable stay of the client:

A good selection of hotels can be found on the website: www.mrandmrssmith.com

Cuisine and restaurants

Since time immemorial, Matera has been famous for growing wheat. From this it follows that the basis of the cuisine of the region is pasta and bread made from durum cereals.

Durum wheat pasta - business card Matera

Chicory bean soup, lampashoni (Apulia bulbs), as well as lamb ribs with onions and tomatoes are also popular among locals. The wine of local production - Doc Matera - is distinguished by its unusual taste and aroma.

A good selection of dishes and a wine list will be offered by the Don Matto restaurant, which serves amazing salmon and octopus dishes.

You should also try one of the most delicious desserts - tiramisu. The average price for dinner will be about 100-120 euros.

Cozy and affordable restaurant Osteria Malatesta located in the historical part of the city. Here you can have a cheap meal after tiresome walk through the caves. The average price per check is 30 euros.

Osteria Malatesta is located in the historical part of the city

Great cafe Grand cafe offers huge selection coffee and confectionery, the assortment of which changes daily. The average check is 15-20 euros.

Weather

The favorable location of the city - in the south of the peninsula, makes it attractive to many visitors not only for its sights, but also for its climate.

Warm winters, moderate autumns and springs make it possible to stroll through old streets in any season.

Summer is quite hot (29-30 °C), late autumn and early winter - Great chance precipitation. The ideal time to travel is spring or early autumn.

Leisure and shopping

To enjoy your stay in Italy to the fullest, you should definitely include a visit to the beach in your holiday program. The nearest suitable place is located 39 km from Matera and is called Marina di Pisticci. Beaches picturesque town ideal for family holidays.

The beaches of Marina di Pisticci are great places to relax

Metaponto- Another one wonderful beach, which was not reached by crowds of tourists. Clear water, flat bottom and white sand of the Ionian coast are the best for those who love to soak up the Mediterranean sun.

The Basilicata region is also famous for its thermal spas- Rapolla, Latronico, Tito.

Closest to Matera are the Baths of Rapolla - 107 km. The path to other resorts can be overcome within 2-2.5 hours by car or bus.

As for shopping, Matera is not the place where fans of famous branded boutiques would go. Since the poorest part of the population lived here for a long time, production in the city is not particularly developed.

In Matera you can buy local cheese

It is also worth considering that Matera has only recently become popular in terms of tourists. There are shopping centers where you can find the necessary things. You can also buy local wine or cheese.

How to get there

Airplane. The distance from the nearest airport, which is located in the city, to Matera is 60 km. You can get there by train and bus.

Bus. You can get to Matera from, Urbino, Naples, Bari. And also from Potenza, Metaponto, Taranto. The Rome-Matera flight is on the way for about 7 hours.
More information about flights: www.flixbus.com

Train. The most popular train connection is Matera - Bari. Travel time is 1.5 hours. To get to Almatura, you need to spend about 25 minutes. Detailed information on the website: http://ferrovieappulolucane.it/en/

Automobile. By renting a car, you can not be tied to the schedule and delays public transport. It is enough to choose the right track that will lead to Matera. If you drive from the Adriatic, you should take the SS 99 towards Altamura. To reach the city from the Tyrenno Sea, you should first take the Salerno-Reggio Calabria highway, then the S 407 road towards Matera.
The site will help you decide on a car rental: http://www.rentalcars.com/

Distance to nearest cities:

Matera - Fiuggi - 408 km;
Matera - Naples - 250 km;
Matera - Potenza - 90 km;
Matera - Taranto - 73 km;
Matera - Almatura - 20 km.

A trip to ancient Matera will bring a truly unforgettable experience for every guest of the ancient settlement.

Matera will allow you to plunge into the atmosphere of antiquity

The spirit of antiquity that lives here will take you to other civilizations and dimensions.

When visiting unique caves, where distant ancestors lived, created and were inspired, everyone will be able to feel the fascination and admiration for the fruits of the incredible work and intelligence of previous generations.

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 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.

October 18th, 2014

Sassi di Matera is an ancient part of the small modern town of Matera in Italy. It is located in the east of the country and resembles a Roman amphitheater with grottoes hiding terraces. It has been proved that the place of Sassi was inhabited in the Neolithic era, has a rich history, including architecture, archaeological finds.

Today Sassi is the historical center of Matera, which is located in many limestone rocks that form the gorge of the small river Gravina. Carved living quarters and underground churches can be seen in the rocks. Historians are inclined to assume that the age of underground dwellings is 9 thousand years.

The old town of Sassi is an interweaving of houses, caves and chapels. In the Middle Ages, on the outskirts of the Sassi, in grottoes, commoners lived, and in the central part of the city - the aristocratic elite. Today the caves are a tourist attraction. Museums are open in some grottoes, where the old atmosphere of the old city is preserved.

You can spend both day and night in the cave city, or you can stay in cave houses, where 18 comfortable rooms are equipped. Part of the hotel is located in the building of a medieval church.

Built of stone and carved into the rocks, churches, palaces, along with underground catacombs and reservoirs, give the Sassi an attractive appearance. The Sassi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Let's find out more about this city...

Photo 2.

The core of the city originated on the opposite slopes of the river valley, called the crevice of Gravina di Matera. During the time of Magna Graecia, it was a Greek city, the center of which 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 to build village dwellings, so quarters of the Sassi. Since the time, the quarters have grown, the labyrinth of limestone houses-grottoes has increased and the quarters began to be called Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, Civita remained between them.

Sassi (translated as "stones") is the historical center of Matera, located in a rocky pit and consisting of three districts: Sasso Caveoso, Sasso Barisano and Civita. This place has been inhabited since the Neolithic era and has a very rich history, well illustrated by the architecture and archaeological sites located in the territory of the Sassi. It can be said that as a residential area, Sassi was formed under the influence of various civilizations. In the prehistoric era, villages protected by trenches were built here, and in the period from the 9th to the 11th centuries, when the Sassi peoples of eastern origin inhabited, the area began to take on an urban outline - a system of streets, sewers, water reservoirs appeared. The Norman-Sevian settlements of the 11th-13th centuries were marked here by powerful military fortifications; they were followed by the Spaniards with Renaissance architecture (15th-16th centuries) and the 17th-18th centuries brought Baroque architecture here.

Photo 3.

The city had many vegetable gardens and hanging gardens covered with vaults. During the Renaissance, these arches were used for burials, and it turned out that living people lived in the dungeon, and the dead were buried above the ground. At night, the inhabitants lit torches near their dwellings, and to those who looked at the city from the top of the hill, it might seem that in front of him was another sky strewn with stars. This sight impressed travelers so much that the origin of the name of the city of Matera was mistakenly associated with the Greek word "meteora" - the starry sky. Despite the many transformations that the Sassi has undergone over the centuries, the city still retains its ancient outlines in its layout, which, from a bird's eye view, resemble the shape of a Greek omega. The slopes of the hill were cut by irrigation canals, through which water flowed from reservoirs located on a hill, filled with rainwater. Main constituent parts the city had courtyards with wells, around which there were entrances to living quarters and a bakery. Such courtyards also defined the fundamental cells of the Sassi society, since life between its inhabitants has always been marked by solidarity and cooperation. Sunlight entered the dwelling from above - in summer, falling perpendicularly, the rays could not heat the room, and in winter, falling at an angle, the light penetrated deeper into the grottoes and warmed them. In addition, the proximity of large stone masses, which served as natural radiators, made it possible to maintain the temperature in the houses at a level of about 15 degrees all year round.

Photo 4.

In the 8th century on the ground Matera many Byzantine monks moved, who built churches in the grottoes, similar to those that can be found in Cappadocia (Turkey) or in Syria.
Local residents, who were in a difficult financial situation, built their homes in Sassi using natural grottoes. 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, then Napoleon Bonaparte moved the capital to Potenza. It was the best time 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. Water was used not only in the economy, but also for rural work. The village of trenches, so they called Mater.

A channel for collecting water into a cistern located in one of the houses. Matera. Basilicata. Italy.

Thanks to this ancient practice, the inhabitants Matera turned their city into a green place, with hanging gardens, orchards and trees.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the demographic boom that had begun four centuries earlier reached its apogee. Additional floors were built on the houses, vegetable gardens, pastures and hanging gardens disappeared, stone cisterns were adapted for one-room apartments in which people managed to live with mules and sheep.

After the Second World War came out Carlo Levi's book "Christ Stopped at Eboli", in which Levi wrote about the unbearable living conditions in the Sassi di Matera.

He was exiled to the south of Italy for anti-fascist remarks, having arrived in Mater 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.”

He compares Sassi to a huge funnel, evoking the majestic image of Hell from Dante's Divine Comedy. However, Levi's image turned out to be more than just a poetic metaphor: excessive overpopulation caused a social and sanitary collapse, as a result of which, in the 50s, residents were forced to move from the Sassi to other places. People began to re-populate here only decades later, starting in 1986.

Carlo Levi saw Mater at a time when the population had grown to its maximum size. 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.

Now Sassi is alive again.

Photo 5.

Then arose "Mather's problem", which has grown to the size of the "shame of the nation." And in 1952, they 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 Sassi di Matera(Sasso Caveoso, Sasso Barisano and Civita) have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

After 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.

Sassi di Matera were built in different centuries and different civilizations. Here are preserved prehistoric footprints, churches covered with frescoes of the 7th century. and rocky buildings of the IX-XI centuries. and later. IN Sasso Caveoso grotto houses have been preserved, some of them can be visited.

Matera. Basilicata. Italy.

For example, historic house on vico Solitario, which reproduces the atmosphere of those times when it was inhabited.

In the middle of the room 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. A kitchenette in a separate small room, another room was used as a utility room, a "hole-pipe" - to collect snow, which melted and gave precious water.

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.

Matera. Basilicata. Italy.

Church of San Pietro Caveoso, built in 1218 on a small square, is one of the most characteristic and striking places in Matera. In the 17th century The church has undergone many changes and acquired a baroque look. Inside there are art paintings and frescoes.

Church of San Pietro Caveoso. Matera. Basilicata. Italy.

Cathedral rises above Sassi. It was erected in the 13th century. in the Civita quarter, which bisects the two Sasso. It has been closed for restoration for many years, and once belonged to a Benedictine monastery. The cathedral is distinguished by a beautiful sharp rose-shaped window and a 52-meter bell tower. The famous Byzantine fresco Madonna della Bruna is kept in the cathedral.

IN Matera more than 130 churches and chapels. In cave churches, stalactites and stalagmites serve as columns, uneven walls have preserved traces of Byzantine frescoes.

Today, the cave city is a popular tourist destination. There are no street names or house numbers, and long lanes can end in a dead end. The entrances to many caves are walled up or clogged, but you can find passages and get inside.

Sassi is a real " cultural landscape"- that is how it is called in the records of world heritage UNESCO to which it is included. In the Middle Ages, in the outskirts of the Sassi, ordinary people lived, and central part The city was occupied by the aristocratic elite. This part of the city was built on the site of the ancient acropolis, which still holds many surprises. The area of Sasso Barisano, located in the northwest at the edge of the cliff, is the richest in various sculptural portals and friezes, which are hidden in underground catacombs. The Sasso Caveoso area, located to the east, looks like a Roman amphitheater with grottoes from which terraces open. In the center of the Sassi is the Civita district, which is a rocky ledge separating the other two districts, on top of which rises the cathedral. The UNESCO-protected archaeological zone also includes the Murgia plateau and the gorge of the Gravina di Matera river, where unique underground churches are located.

Photo 6.

The panorama of the Sassi is a truly bewitching spectacle, when the labyrinths of galleries on a mountain range open before your eyes, guarding the mysterious city for centuries, as if emerging from some oriental tale. natural grottoes, underground catacombs, ponds, farms, churches and palaces built of stone or carved into the rock coexist here, forming an amazing and harmonious natural and urban landscape. The path to Sassi lies through arcades resembling secret passages. The baroque and renaissance façades are built here on 8th century stone water reservoirs, which were adapted for habitation. Byzantine churches contain wells used in antiquity in the rituals of the cult of Mithras. Some ancient catacombs were used for housing until the 50s of the 20th century, others were abandoned and hidden in the depths of the hill. Beneath the piazza Vittorio Veneto there is a huge reservoir called the "Long Diver" (Palombaro lungo), some sections of which were built three thousand years ago, while others were completed in the 18th century.

Photo 7.

Among the underground catacombs of the Sassi are huge monastic complexes, with many cells and unique underground churches carved in stone. Their construction is associated with the arrival of the Basilian monks in Sassi around 1000 AD, who brought with them the architectural traditions of Anatolia and Syria. In underground churches, one can observe a strange mixture of various religious traditions: Orthodox iconostases in Catholic-type basilicas; on Byzantine frescoes, where the Mother of God is usually depicted as a queen, there are accessible folk images. In addition to historical sights, one of the grottoes houses the largest museum of modern sculpture "MUSMA", a unique collection of which contains exhibits illustrating the development of Italian and foreign art from the 19th century to the first decades of the 20th century. Some of the grotto houses where people used to live are now also turned into museums, where the original furnishings are preserved or reconstructed, allowing the visitor to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the life of the old Sassi.

Photo 8.

The picturesque landscapes of the ancient city constantly attract filmmakers. Several films have been filmed in the Sassi, including Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. In Japan, they even created an anime called "Ghost of Matera", where the action takes place in the catacombs of Sassi

Many tourists come to the ancient city to travel back to the Middle Ages, as if by a time machine. In addition, the traditions of old artisans and workshops have been preserved in Matera. Here, as before, simple dishes are prepared. local cuisine: they cook homemade pasta, bake bread and bakery products from Matheran wheat.
From now on, as before, Sissi is the pride of Matera. Local entrepreneurs have turned the ghost town into a tourism hub with hotels, clubs and bars. This was made possible thanks to government subsidies, which allowed more than half of the old city to be rebuilt.

Photo 9.

Recently opened here unusual hotel, whose rooms are located right in the caves. Now tourists will be able to feel like cavemen (troglodytes) of a primitive society, without breaking away from their usual comfort.

Photo 10.

An unusual hotel town appeared next to the town of Matera. It is housed in a medieval cave settlement Sassi, where in 1948 about 20 thousand people lived. Hundreds of caves and 155 churches were carved into the rocks behind Matera. On this moment All of them are under the protection of UNESCO. In this regard, it seems like a real miracle and a gift for tourists that 18 caves have been recently rebuilt into boutique hotels.

Photo 11.

A hotel town called Sassi di Matera has become a unique experiment in integration modern technologies into the atmosphere of the medieval past. At the same time, it was possible to find a non-standard solution and not turn the cave complex into an ordinary one. theme park. At first glance, the doors and rusty keys give the impression that this is the entrance to an old barn. Meanwhile, the rooms are full of light and look quite comfortable. The restored cave hotels have everything from comfortable seating to Wi-Fi and luxurious bathrooms. In addition to the walls, beds suspended a meter above the floor on metal cables remind of the past in some hotels. This is a tribute ancient traditions Sassi. In the medieval city, people lived in the same caves as animals, and hanging beds guaranteed them relative privacy from livestock. But the animals produced additional heat and warmed their owners.

Photo 12.

The Sassi ranges from simple 3-star hotels and guesthouses to luxurious apartments. Accommodation costs 66 euros and more, and breakfast is included in the price. The unique cave city welcomes guests from April to October.

The small town of Craco, located in the province of Matera in southern Italy, is one of the amazing and unique historical sites. This is a real ghost town that attracts travelers with its unique atmosphere and a touch of mystery. Once this city, founded around 1060, towered over picturesque green hills and cultivated fields.

Initially, the lands on which Krako was founded were the property of Archbishop Arnaldo, Bishop of the commune of Tricarico. Over the long years of its existence, this town has not become famous for any outstanding events, it was the most ordinary agricultural center. By the end of the 19th century, the population of Krako began to experience serious difficulties due to several lean years. Gradually, the inhabitants of the town began to emigrate to North America. Soon, earthquakes, landslides, as well as the Second World War. In the early 1960s, the city was completely deserted and to this day is gradually being destroyed, turning into historical ruins.

Dead city Krako

Dead city Craco is located in southern Italy, in the Basilicata region of the province of Matera, approximately 25 miles inland from the Gulf of Taranto. This medieval city typical of the area with long hills and cultivated fields. The date of foundation of Krako is approximately 1060, when the land already belonged to Archbishop Arnaldo, Bishop of Tricariko, there were mostly church possessions.

This city had its existence due to agriculture, was founded in the VIII century by the Greeks. The city dwellers lived as they wanted, who were engaged in the cultivation of grapes, made mash from it, until one well-known political figure visited it in the XII century and established feudal power over it, and then the city began to rebuild.

The mayor introduced law and religion, a castle was built on a rock so that they could not capture the landlord. Gradually, 4 squares were rebuilt, in best years The population reached 1500 thousand people.

By 1891, the population of Krako reached 2 thousand people, despite the fact that the years were lean, there were earthquakes, landslides, and along with the war.

Kracko was completely exhausted by natural disasters, and in 1963 the remaining 1800 inhabitants moved to a valley called Kracko Cave, and the original Kracko is gradually being destroyed where it stood for a thousand years.

And what sights of Matera did you like? There are icons next to the photo, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Dead city

The Dead City of Kraco is located in Italy. As of 1891, more than 2,000 people lived here. But due to the difficult conditions of agricultural labor, which took place among rocky and poor soils, a food crisis occurred here.

As a result, approximately 1,300 people immediately left the city, and then moved to North America. People moved from Krako from 1892 until 1922. In addition, earthquakes and landslides, which were frequent in these areas, were added to the food crisis.

In 1963, all the inhabitants who remained in the city were relocated to a nearby valley, which was named Krako's Cave.

At the moment, the city stands in its original place, but there has been absolutely no one here for a long time.

The most popular attractions in Matera with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places Mothers on our site.

Individual and group