What to do and see in Matera, Basilicata: The Best Things to do

November 9, 2021 Nobuko Falco

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. Museo Laboratorio della Civilta Contadina

Via San Giovanni Vecchio 60, 75100, Matera Italy +39 0835 344057 [email protected] http://museolaboratorio.it/
Excellent
91%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 436 reviews

Museo Laboratorio della Civilta Contadina

A restored XVI century building with court located in via San Giovanni Vecchio 60 (Sasso Barisano) is the home of the 500 m2 large Museo Laboratorio della Civiltà Contadina (Museum-Workshop of the Peasant Culture). The exhibition rooms are dedicated to the ancient trades related to the work in the fields but also to all the other handicraft activities carried on in the ancient quarters of Matera: sieve-maker, tanner, shepherd, basket-maker, cavamonti, shoe-shiner, barber, cabinet-maker, mastro d'ascia, blacksmith, tailor, conciapiatti, potter, knife-grinder, saddler, coppersmith, cobbler, peasant, scalpellino. Also, various every-day tools are exposed: farm tools, equipment for storage and processing of wheat, weaving equipment. Other rooms are dedicated to daily-life places - such as the public wine cellar and the typical house - and themes related to the South-Italy history such as brigandage, childhood condition and water-harvesting. The Museo-Laboratorio aims to be a dynamic structure among the tourism products of Matera and a reference for the development of the culture of the past through exhibition and educational activities.

Reviewed By PaulinaRospondek

Great place to visit. The collection is quite big and it is very interesting. the owner is very nice and he will give more information if you are interested. highly recommended when visiting Matera

2. Sassi di Matera

Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 75100, Matera Italy [email protected] http://www.comune.irsina.mt.it/citta/arte.php?id=23
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 15,727 reviews

Sassi di Matera

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.

3. Materasum Ipogeo

Recinto XX Settembre 7, 75100, Matera Italy +39 366 285 9653 http://www.ipogeomaterasum.com/
Excellent
80%
Good
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5.0 based on 323 reviews

Materasum Ipogeo

Matera Sum ipogeo is a place where space and time stop to tell you the history. traditions and culture mix of one of the most ancient cities in the world. pure emotion from the depths of the earth

Reviewed By supergirlUk - New Malden, United Kingdom

Great visit with very helpful audio guide in Italian but written explanations in English, French and Japanese. Great historical visit explaining the way life used to be in Matera

4. Cattedrale di Matera

Piazza del Duomo, Matera Italy +39 329 260 8599 http://www.aptbasilicata.it
Excellent
55%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
7%
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4.5 based on 891 reviews

Cattedrale di Matera

Reviewed By LEnriquesC - Brasilia, Brazil

The Chapel of the Annunciation is very precious, with several sculptures, among which a beautiful Pieta in the upper part. It is dedicated to Santa Maria della Brunna, whose Byzantine icon it has. And formerly there was in its place the church of San Eustaquio, patron saint of the city, and the ceiling is full of frescoes with scenes from her life.

5. Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario

Vico Solitario 11, 75100, Matera Italy +39 0835 310118 [email protected] http://www.casagrotta.it
Excellent
53%
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 1,525 reviews

Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario

Matera Sassi Storica Casa Grotta - di vico Solitario: Typically Furnished Cave Dwelling To see what a real peasant dwelling was like before the “Sassi” of Matera were abandoned, visit a typical cave dwelling with furniture and tools of the time in the “Sasso Caveoso”. The description of the Cave Dwelling in English language is available inside. Open all year round.

Reviewed By Sylvain54321 - Lugrin, France

This is a visit of a typical 19th century house of Matera. The house is amazingly well furnished, so that one can learn a huge amount of interesting facts on how the daily life was managed at that time. The immersive effect is very strong, and you realize that each act of ordinary life was difficult in those times. This type of installation is so much better than the usual “tradition museums” in which you see the old clothes and habits !

6. Cripta del Peccato Originale

Contrada Pietrapenta SNC, 75100, Matera Italy +39 320 334 5323 [email protected] http://www.criptadelpeccatooriginale.it
Excellent
78%
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4.5 based on 1,059 reviews

Cripta del Peccato Originale

The Crypt of the Original Sin, in Matera, is located inside a natural cave on the Murgia plateau, near the old Appian Way. Commonly known as “the Sistine Chapel of rupestrian art”, the Crypt was discovered in 1963 by a group of local youths, who noticed the splendid frescoes in what at the time, had become a shelter for sheep herds.Experts later dated the cycle of paintings back to the second half of the 8th century, with Late-Romanesque style and formal elements of Oriental inspiration, such as the Byzantine-style Triarchsand the profile of the Virgin Mary, majestically represented in the sumptuous clothes of the Byzantine empress, the Basilissa.The anonymous, humble artist – who was soon nicknamed the “Flower Painter” – depicted biblical figures in total freedom: God the Creator, Light and Darkness, Adam and Eve, the three Apostles John, Peter and Andrew, the Archangels and Mary. The paintings on the rough walls of the cave are different and unique in Matera’s iconographic context. The scenes are the fruit of the painter’s personal creativity and certainly speak of his freedom in translating complex depictions, and of a lively spontaneity in drawing images. The Crypt of Original Sin may only be visited by booking.

Reviewed By ElenaY54 - Boston, United States

The Crypt of Original Sin is a very unique place . specific to the Matera region of Italy. - Dwellings, churches- all in the carved in caves that have been inhabited since prehistoric times, through Roman times, middle ages - to now. Not to be missed by travelers to Basilicata.

7. Parco della Murgia Materana

Via Sette Dolori 10, 75100, Matera Italy +39 0835 336166 http://www.parcomurgia.it
Excellent
70%
Good
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4.5 based on 906 reviews

Parco della Murgia Materana

Reviewed By jerseyjazz - New Jersey, United States

Photographers' paradise! Extraordinary park, both for the views across to the city and for the walks. You can hike back by descending into the gorge, but don't plan to do this unless you are well-equipped with good hiking shoes, water, snacks, and protection from the hot sun. There is not much signage to guide you. We were driven to the park, expecting to hike back. We decided against it and called for a cab ride back. (Bring the number of a few cab companies with you.) It cost 25 Euros for the four of us and was well worth it.

8. Info Matera – Informazioni Turistiche

Piazza Vittorio Veneto 39, 75100, Matera Italy +39 329 446 1059 [email protected] http://www.infosassidimatera.com
Excellent
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4.5 based on 409 reviews

Info Matera – Informazioni Turistiche

The experience gained through the years has led us to develop tour's itineraries oriented to the highest enhancement of the territory by proposing a quality tourism. Our tours are planned with great care and dedication thanks to the advice given by knowledgeable guides licensed by the Basilicata region. We offer informations on tours,events,accommodation,restaurants,souvenirs and peculiarities.

Reviewed By E1086WKmaureenr - Brisbane, Australia

Matera is a fascinating city, welcoming people and so much to see. We stayed near the Sassi and it was an easy walk to most attractions. It is worthwhile to take a guided tour of the Sassi area as it has many streets any ally ways that it is possible to loose your bearings. This city is a must see on any trip to Italy

9. Casa Noha

Recinto Cavone 9, 75100, Matera Italy +39 0835 335452 http://www.fondoambiente.it/luoghi/casa-noha?utm_source=social&utm_medium=tripadvisor&utm_campaign=casanoha
Excellent
70%
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 1,371 reviews

Casa Noha

Immersa nei Sassi, una casa diventa luogo della conoscenza e della memoria di una storia millenaria, quella della città di Matera, scritta su una roccia friabile e porosa come il tufo.

Reviewed By LEnriquesC - Brasilia, Brazil

I recommend this place 5 stars. If you want to learn the history behind the beautiful city of Matera, then this is a must see. Available in English speaking headphones. It takes you back to the first page of Materas history. This place made me fall in love with the city. note: very interesting video, to be seen before visiting the stones

10. Palombaro Lungo

Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Matera Italy +39 339 363 8332 [email protected] http://www.visitmatera.it/il-palombaro-lungo.html
Excellent
45%
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Satisfactory
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4.0 based on 1,403 reviews

Palombaro Lungo

Reviewed By PaulJ132 - New York City, United States

The tour was very well organized and very informative, both about the Palombaro Lungo itself and the history of Matera in general. The space is unusual and well worth a visit.

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