What to see in Matera
All of the Sassi of Matera are characterised by caves dug into the tuff, each excavated cave had a specific use, most were used as actual dwellings, others were grain stores, rooms for animals, chicken coops or storerooms for food preserves. Following the De Gasperi law in 1952 and the displacement of the Sassi, all these cave dwellings remained abandoned until the redevelopment of the Sassi some 20 years ago, when many families decided to restore their abandoned caves and revive them as tourist attractions. Today in the cave houses it is possible to see how people used to live in the Sassi of Matera, the utensils women used to prepare food, ancient tools for washing clothes, straw beds for adults and special cradles for babies;
The most importantcave houses to see are the Casa Grotta del Casalnuovo and the Casa Grotta di vico Solitario located in the Sasso Caveoso in our immediate vicinity; we also recommend a visit to the Casa Grotta Narrante.
Between Churches and Cisterns
CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral is located on the highest point of the Sassi of Matera and was built during the 13th century; it was constructed in the Apulian-Romanesque style and its main external feature is the height of the bell tower, which is an impressive 52 metres.
The interior of the cathedral has undergone many changes over time and one notices the many golden decorative elements and the diversity of all the capitals that make the mother church unique. In addition, one can admire the original high altar dedicated to the Madonna della Bruna, patron saint of the city, whose feast day is celebrated on 2 July each year.
See more details of Matera Cathedral.
SAN GIOVANNI BATTISTA
The Church of St John the Baptist is an astonishing example of Apulian-Romanesque architecture and resides in the chapel of Santa Maria La Nova given as a refuge to penitents from Palestine in 1215. For years it was one of the very few parish churches in Matera, and despite its small size, it is one of the most beautiful and architecturally impressive complexes to be seen in Matera.
The interior of the church is in the shape of a Latin cross and you can see a polychrome altar with a fresco dedicated to Maria La Nova and a painting of some saints dating back to the 17th century.
LONG PALOMBAR
With a capacity of about 5000 cubic metres of water and a height of 15 metres, the Palombaro Lungo is one of Matera’s largest water reservoirs. The discovery of this enormous cistern as part of the water collection system dates back about twenty years.
The Palombaro is located under Piazza Vittorio Veneto and is part of the complex of the Hypogea together with the Church of the Santo Spirito; this enormous cistern was for public use and supplied rainwater and spring water from the Lapillo hill, which flowed to the palombaro through other cisterns communicating with each other in a cascade system.
SANTA LUCIA ALLE MALVE
According to the latest studies, this rock convent dates back to the 9th-10th century, and is located in the Malve district of the Sassi di Matera near the ravine.
Inside, the church has three naves with respective apses, and caves with numerous frescoes.
This rupestrian church in the Sasso Caveoso is definitely worth a visit, find out more about the history and booking a visit to the church of Santa Lucia alle Malve.
SANTA MARIA DE IDRIS
Rock Church of Sasso Caveoso located on a rocky outcrop right in the heart of the Sassi di Matera from which a 360 degree panorama of the Sassi and the Matera Murgia can be admired; this vantage point is definitely worth seeing.
The church dates back to the 12th century and inside it has frescoes painted between the 12th and 14th centuries AD; it is internally connected with the rock church of San Giovanni in Monterrone, which takes its name from the rocky spur where the two churches are located.
See further details of the Madonna dell’Idris in Matera.
