Location: Matera
Top Things to do in Matera
6 Historic Walking Areas in Matera That You Shouldn't Miss
Get to Matera quickly, because it’s still relatively undiscovered by foreign tourists. In town, visit the Domenico Ridola National Museum. Matera’s real claim to fame, though, and the reason it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the extensive series of cave dwellings ("i sassi") southeast of town, first inhabited by Benedictine and Basilian monks. You’ll see individual cells, chapels, and even some churches, many adorned with Byzantine decorations and frescoes.
Restaurants in Matera
1. Sassi di Matera
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15,727 reviews
Matera, conosciuta come La città dei Sassi, si è sviluppata intorno al suo antico borgo. Nel 1993 è diventata Patrimonio Mondiale dell’UNESCO e sarà Capitale Europea della cultura 2019. Questi riconoscimenti hanno riscattato una città ritenuta vergogna nazionale. Grazie al volere di Togliatti e De Gasperi che hanno voluto lo sfollamento dei Sassi Matera conosciuta come La città dei Sassi si è sviluppata intorno al suo antico borgo. Nel 1993 è diventata Patrimonio Mondiale dell’UNESCO e sarà Capitale Europea della cultura 2019. Questi riconoscimenti hanno riscattato una città ritenuta vergogna nazionale. Grazie al volere di Togliatti e De Gasperi che hanno voluto lo sfollamento dei Sassi, Matera si è ripresa da questo periodo oscuro I Rioni del centro storico Il centro storico è suddiviso in quattro parti: Civita, Sasso Barisano, Sasso Caveoso e Il Piano. Le antiche civiltà che hanno popolato il lato della gravina dove attualmente sorge Matera, si sono insediate sulla Civita.
Reviewed By 422stefanam - Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Sassi di Matera is a beautiful place, you have the impression you step in another world, an ancient one. Impressive churches, history all around, stunning views from each corner, splendid both by day but especially by night. Lots of restaurants to eat, lots of narrow streets where to get lost and enjoy the silence and the charm of the old city. You can admire it also from Gravina, if you pass on the other side of the canyon.
2. Sasso Barisano
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By Primoitajuba - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Don’t miss the Sassi ! It’s impossible to describe ! An incredible experience in the heart of Basilicata . Small and charmy city with wonderful restaurants, food and wines !
3. Piazza Vittorio Veneto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 282 reviews
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
Piazza Vittorio Veneto had several names. Before receiving the name of the Venetian General, it was called the Piazza Del Plebiscito, and even earlier the Fontana square in connection with the Ferdinand fountain. This fountain , restored by king Ferdinando II of Bourbon in 1832, was intended to collect water from the hill. It attracts the attention of tourists even now, but the fountain is not the main thing on the square. The Palace of the Annunciation (Palazzo Dell'annunziata), despite its size, is also not the main attraction on the square. The main thing is on the side and at the bottom. The catacombs of Piazza Vittorio Veneto are located under the main square of the city. In addition to numerous underground rooms, they contain the ancient Palombaro Lungo reservoir and a tower that was once part of the back wall of Tramontano castle. Another attraction is the observation deck with the name "Luigi Guerricchio Belvedere". To see the city right away, it is worth starting your acquaintance with Matera.
4. Casa Cisterna Sotterranea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
An ancient house in the Sassi of Matera. There is inside an old cistern for collecting water. And also an ancient mill. This home is carved into the rock. And here lived people of Matera in troglodyte caves. The furnishings of the rooms are as they were in the past.
Reviewed By showmemo61 - Jefferson City, United States
This cave home was amazing for the fact that it has been preserved for future visitors to see the conditions that the people in the Sassi actually lived in. They lived in caves like this until the 1950's.
5. Via Ridola
6. Piazza Duomo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By BookCentsBabe
The Duomo is the heart of Matera. They've been working on restoring it for the last 15+ years. As an added bonus, in front of the Duomo, there is a place where you can look out over the entire Sassi! Great place for a photo op.
