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Matera

Matera
The Sassi and the park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera are the best surviving and most complete examples of rock-cut settlement in the Mediterranean region. They have been developed in close harmony with the natural environments.

Nature has provided this location with a belt of soft tufa, with two natural depressions. The caves here have been used since prehistoric times. Population pressure drove people out of the city of Matera, into these Sassi. From the 17th century on, this area was left to the poor. At first they lived in the bare caves, later these developed into house-like structures.

The Sassi were evacuated by law in 1952. 15.000 people, living in extremely poor hygienic circumstances, had to be resettled to new quarters.

Year Decision Comments
2007Name changeFrom "I Sassi di Matera" to "The Sassi and the park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera"
1993 Inscribed Reasons for inscription



Visit January 2005


I had read "Christ stopped at Eboli" by Carlo Levi in preparation of this trip. This classic describes the poor living standards and the neglect of the people in Basilicata, during the author's exile to the area in the 1930s. There's only a short passage specifically about the Sassi in Matera. However, it indicates that the conditions there were even worse than in the surrounding countryside.

What to expect in the year 2005? I had prepared myself for some gloomy rocks, with small passages between them. But it's quite different from that: the Sassi overlook an impressive canyon, and a wide panoramic road encircles the quarters.

In one of the houses you can also have a look inside. It doesn't look too bad on first sight - but you have to bear in mind that this one is now cleaned every day, the horse standing in the corner is not a live one and sharing the room with 18 family members is quite crowded. Besides poverty, malaria was also a big problem for the inhabitants.

More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery


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Reviews

Odette Portelli Taliana (MALTA):
The first time i visited Matera was in the year 1975, I was part of a group of youngsters from the island of Malta and we had come to Matera as a part of a work camp. We stayed in Matera for 3 weeks, it was an amazing experienc, In those days few people lived in i Sassi as many people had left to live in upper Matera where the houses were more modern. I visited Matera again in 1988 and i could notice that a great improvement had been done to the Sassi, I am planning a visit to Matera and would really love to stay in a cave hotel,I am looking foward to seeing Matera again after all these years!
Date posted: July 2011
Klaus Freisinger (Austria):
The sassi of Matera are one of the major tourist attractions of southern Italy, and much has been written about the houses and the poor quality of life of the people who lived there. Much more amazing in my opinion are the stunning location and the beautiful views one can enjoy from several places in and around Matera. The place has been inhabited since the Stone Age, and you can definitely feel the history of the place when you stand above the huge canyon and see the houses and churches hewn into the rock. No wonder Mel Gibson came here to film The Passion of the Christ.
 
Sassidimatera.it Webmaster (Italy):
Visit Sassidimatera.it (http://www.sassidimatera.it) a unique resource on line regarding Matera Sassi and its surroundings. Includes videos and information about hotels and restaurants.
Date posted: February 2006
GIOVANNI RICCIARDI (ITALY - BASILICATA):
MATERA IS THE TOWN OF SASSI. SASSI ARE ORGANIZE IN THREE PARTS: THE CIVITA WAS THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE OLD TOWN, IT WAS INHABITED SINCE THE BRONZE AGE (ABOUT 4000 YEARS AGO), THEN IN MEDIEVAL TIME MANY CAVES WERE DUG OUT FROM THE ROCK IN TWO DIFFERENT PARTS CALLED SASSO BARISANO AND SASSO CAVEOSO. NOW HOUSES OF SASSI ARE ORGANIZED IN TWO PARTS: AT THE BACK THERE IS THE ORIGINAL CAVE AND THE BUILDING IN IN FRONTAL PART.

MORE INFO: http://www.materaturismo.it/english/index.htm

 
Irene Battisti Scott (USA):
In July of 2002 while visiting relatives in Castellaneta, I was taken to visit I Sassi di Matera. At first I could not believe what I saw; what could this amazing place be? I had never heard of it before, my relatives were rightfully excited to be showing me this wonderful place. As we walked into the cave homes and churches, and along the stone streets, well traveled and worn from centuries of use, I could feel the truly presence of those who had walked before me. Touching the ancient stone walls, marveling at the walkways and streets, made smooth by time and weather, I could only begin to imagine how these marvelous dwelings were made. It gave me a deep sense of appreciation and awe for the people who, generation upon generation, literally dug these dwellings out of the rock. It is a place surrounded by history, and the ancient spirits are very much alive; you can feel it in the wind which blows across the ravine, for it is the same wind the ancients felt. I Sassi di Matera is real treasure; a place to be preserved and protected, for history is alive in this place.
 
Mary Gaudente (Canada):
I visited I Sassi di Matera in the summer of 2001. What words can I possibly use to describe it? Breath-taking, remarkable, awe-inspiring. I felt as if I stepped back into time hundreds or even thousands of years. It's the type of place where you feel the presence of history under your feet. As I walked in and around the stone houses and beautiful churches it was not very difficult for me to imagine how this rich culture lived. The stone streets and simple white houses allowed me to take that spiritual trip back into time. I felt as if at any moment, a Roman soldier or peasant woman would come around the corner. It's that kind of place. I walked in with an appreciation of my Italian heritage....and I walked out with a strong, deep-rooted love for it.
 


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Links

» Casa grotta.
» Sassiweb.