{"id":7780,"date":"2025-11-05T12:10:32","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T12:10:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/the-sassi-city-of-matera-a-fascinating-troglodyte-treasure-listed-by-unesco\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T13:31:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T13:31:45","slug":"the-sassi-city-of-matera-a-fascinating-troglodyte-treasure-listed-by-unesco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/en\/the-sassi-city-of-matera-a-fascinating-troglodyte-treasure-listed-by-unesco\/","title":{"rendered":"The Sassi City of Matera: a fascinating troglodyte treasure listed by UNESCO"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

The Sassi city of Matera: a UNESCO-listed troglodyte treasure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

In the heart of Basilicata, the Sassi of Matera<\/b> f<\/a>orm one of the most fascinating urban landscapes in Italy. These troglodyte districts carved into the limestone rock create a unique labyrinth of narrow alleys, caves and rock-hewn churches. Bearing witness to thousands of years of history, the Sassi of Matera <\/a>were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993 for their outstanding universal value. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

A thousand-year-old history in the heart of Basilicata<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

The Sassi of Matera<\/span> \u2013 literally \u201cstones\u201d \u2013 have been inhabited since prehistoric times. The first communities carved shelters into the tuff rock, taking advantage of the Gravina di Matera, a natural canyon. <\/p>

Over the centuries, these caves became homes, monasteries, churches, and workshops. Until the mid-20th century, the Sassi were densely populated, but living conditions remained precarious. <\/p>

In the 1950s, a large resettlement plan forced residents to leave the caves. It was only from the 1980s onwards that Matera experienced a spectacular revival: today, the Sassi are a symbol of restoration and cultural pride, with their cave hotels, museums and traditional restaurants. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

A unique troglodyte architecture in Europe<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

The Sassi are divided into two districts:<\/p>

  • Sasso Caveoso, the oldest district, with its almost intact cave dwellings.<\/p><\/li>

  • Sasso Barisano, more open, where restored houses have been transformed into accommodation facilities.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>

    These structures, carved directly into the rock, offer an unrivaled architectural panorama. Among the steep alleyways, you can discover numerous rock-hewn churches adorned with medieval frescoes, including Santa Maria de Idris and San Pietro Barisano, true treasures of sacred art in Basilicata. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    Matera, European Capital of Culture 2019<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

    The recognition of Matera\u2019s Sassi by UNESCO marked a decisive turning point for the city. In 2019, Matera was named European Capital of Culture, confirming its status as a must-visit destination for art and history enthusiasts. <\/p>

    The Sassi have also inspired many filmmakers: Pier Paolo Pasolini, Mel Gibson, and even 007 \u2013 No Time To Die immortalized the city in their films, attracting visitors from all over the world.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t
    <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    Practical information for visiting Matera\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

    Location: Matera, Basilicata region, southern Italy.<\/p>

    Opening hours: free access to the Sassi 24\/7; museums and rock-hewn churches require a ticket.<\/p>

    Access: 60 km from Bari (Puglia), reachable by car, bus, or regional train.<\/p>

    Not to be missed<\/b><\/h4>

    • The National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art of Basilicata.<\/p><\/li>

    • The reconstructed cave houses, showcasing the way of life of the past.<\/p><\/li>

    • The Murgia Timone viewpoint, offering a panoramic view of the cave city.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
      <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t

      Between Lucanian culture and gastronomy<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

      Discovering the Sassi of Matera also means tasting the cuisine of Basilicata, simple and full of flavor.<\/p>

      The famous Pane di Matera IGP, with its rustic aroma, accompanies traditional dishes such as:<\/p>

      • peperoni cruschi, dried and fried peppers;<\/p><\/li>

      • Lucanica, a spicy sausage inherited from Ancient Rome;<\/p><\/li>

      • or the handmade pasta cavatelli, served with tomato sauce and a drizzle of local olive oil.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>

        A typical meal ideally ends with a glass of Aglianico del Vulture DOC, an intense red wine from the volcanic soils of Mount Vulture.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

        \n\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t

        Why visit the Sassi city of Matera?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

        • To explore a unique troglodyte site in the world, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/p><\/li>

        • To admire the rock-hewn churches and their medieval frescoes.<\/p><\/li>

        • To enjoy an immersive experience blending history, spirituality, and art.Pour vivre une exp\u00e9rience immersive<\/b><\/span> entre histoire, spiritualit\u00e9 et art.<\/p><\/li>

        • To enjoy traditional Lucanian cuisine, a reflection of Basilicata\u2019s terroir.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          The Sassi city of Matera: a UNESCO-listed troglodyte treasure In the heart of Basilicata, the Sassi of Matera form one<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7774,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[570,555],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basilicata-tourism","category-tourism-activities"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7780","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7780"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7780\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7782,"href":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7780\/revisions\/7782"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7774"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mercazzurro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}