The town of Matera is situated on the border between the regions of Puglia and Basilicata, 60 km from Villa Gioia, and it is one of the most surprising cities of art to visit.
Matera is a unique city, an extraordinary timeless place. It’s also the city of the famous Sassi, the first site in southern Italy declared a World Heritage Site. I’ts the city of the rupestrian churches, the natural areas with different species of flora and fauna, rural traditions, landscapes of incomparable beauty.
The Sassi with their particular twist of caved used as houses, alley, stone churches, terraces, gardens, tunnel, are a great example of an architectural complex perfectly matching with the natural environment. For this, the Sassi represents a unique landscape of its kind, a destination for fascinated travelers and inspired moviemakers.
On the top of the hill, Civitas hill, there’s the Cathedral which offers an amazing view of the “Sasso Barisano”. This church construction is dated back at the 13th century and rose above the remains of a benedectine monastery: Sant’Eustachio.
Several rupestrian churches, dug into the rock, date back mostly to the Middle Ages, with their architectural virtuosity and their decorations are exceptional works of art, expression of the historical – cultural territory.
But Matera is also a city of hidden treasures, museums, festivals, concerts, multimedia paths. The city of the Sassi has been nominated European Capital of Culture for 2019: a major victory for a country often forgotten which can get rid forever of the sad definition of “national shame”.