Matera. a piece of prehistory in Basilicata
A piece of prehistory in the modern world... this can be found in Matera, the second main town in Basilicata. Moreover the UNESCO, (the UN organization for education, science and culture), has enlisted Matera in the World heritage list as a mankind's settlement to be inherited by the future generations. It is the "Sassi di Matera", one of the most peculiar,ancient and extraordinary human settlements in the world, which have drawn the attention of scholars and artists from all over the world (the Italian writer Carlo Levi described Sassi in his famous book "Christ stopped at Eboli" and also the latest Mel Gibson's movie "the Passion" was shot here).
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world, which have drawn the attention of scholars and artists from all over the world (the Italian writer Carlo Levi described Sassi in his famous book "Christ stopped at Eboli" and also the latest Mel Gibson's movie "the Passion" was shot here). For to deepen please visit the www.sassiweb.it
The "Sassi" district is made up of rocky installations developed from the High Middle Ages along the steed tuff walls of the Gravina stream. Benedictine and Greek monks lived in the caves, previously used by prehistoric men. Later on, the same caves were occupied by peasants. This settlement lies on two natural amphitheatres, the "Sasso Caveoso" and the "Sasso Barisano", separated by a spur on which the Cathedral rises.
Before extremely poor hygienic conditions that forced the inhabitants to evacuate in 1952, the "Sassi" represented a complex example of integration between the man and nature through technical and urban innovating solutions. It is possible to admire them in their original splendor once again, after their restoration. Visiting the "Sassi", you will be surprised the number and the beauty of the churches, the palaces, the buildings, dug in the rock and balconies acting as roofs of lower buildings. In the "caves", the houses have been dug out of the tufa rock and the outside walls were built with the excavated material. Inhabited until recently, the "caves" are now empty and have become the object of projects of cultural and touristic revaluation and restoration.
technical and urban innovating solutions. It is possible to admire them in their original splendor once again, after their restoration. Visiting the "Sassi", you will be surprised the number and the beauty of the churches, the palaces, the buildings, dug in the rock and balconies acting as roofs of lower buildings. In the "caves", the houses have been dug out of the tufa rock and the outside walls were built with the excavated material. Inhabited until recently, the "caves" are now empty and have become the object of projects of cultural and touristic revaluation and restoration.
A visit to the "Sassi of Matera" is a truly unique experience. But it is not the only reason to come to this small, secluded, and beautiful region boarded by two seas, the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian: in Basilicata there are Greek ruins (Metaponto), medieval churches and castles (Melfi, Lagopesole), beautiful beaches (Metaponto and Maratea), and unspoilt countryside (Basilicata shares the splendid "Park of Pollino" with Calabria), and many other important historical and landscape attractions.
there are Greek ruins (Metaponto), medieval churches and castles (Melfi, Lagopesole), beautiful beaches (Metaponto and Maratea), and unspoilt countryside (Basilicata shares the splendid "Park of Pollino" with Calabria), and many other important historical and landscape attractions.
Furthermore about Matera, there are also other important historical and artistic attractions that every year are visited by thousand of tourists from all the world: for instance the beautiful "Cathedral", dating back to the Middle Age, and in Sassi is located the evocative "Museum of the peasant culture". In the surroundings of Matera, inside the materana Murgia, we can explore the "Park of the rupestrian Churches". Also the "Church of Saint Francisco d' Assisi", a remarkable blend of Romanesque and Baroque styles, and the "Church of Saint Domenico" located inside Piazza Vittorio Veneto deserve to be mentioned. On the top of a hill just outside from the historical center we can see the "Castello Tramontano", an ancient medieval castle that overlooks
"Museum of the peasant culture". In the surroundings of Matera, inside the materana Murgia, we can explore the "Park of the rupestrian Churches". Also the "Church of Saint Francisco d' Assisi", a remarkable blend of Romanesque and Baroque styles, and the "Church of Saint Domenico" located inside Piazza Vittorio Veneto deserve to be mentioned. On the top of a hill just outside from the historical center we can see the "Castello Tramontano", an ancient medieval castle that overlooks the town and the "Archaeological Museum National D. Ridola" is also located nearby, accommodated inside the building of the former Monastero di Santa Chiara. Not to be forgotten the ancient and very evocative town's saint feast, celebrated every July 2th, the Festivity of the "Madonna della Bruna", dating back to the 1389.
Bruna", dating back to the 1389.
In conclusion, we can surely state that it is worth visiting Matera to admire all its architecture, ahrtistic beauties and also to enjoy the good local cuisine, characterized by all the typical genuine products of the famous Italian Mediterranean cuisine (pasta, olive-oil, tomatoes, cheeses, sausages, wine) and above all in order to taste its inimitable "bread" that surely is one of the best in southern Italy thanks to its pleasant fragrance and high digestibility.
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