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From A James Bond Movie Locale To 10,000-Yrs Of History, Italy’s Matera Is An Enigmatic City

A captivating marvel of time, Matera is a remarkable gem

by Tejashee Kashyap
From A James Bond Movie Locale To 10,000-Yrs Of History, Italy’s Matera Is An Enigmatic City

The history of Italy’s Matera stretches back over 9,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world. Carved into the sun-baked cliffs of the Basilicata region, this profoundly ancient city offers a captivating journey through millennia of history, culture, and architectural marvels.

Journey To Italy’s Matera

A captivating marvel of time, Matera is a remarkable gem located in Basilicata. It’s like living through a bygone era when you visit this Lucanian city. Think of taking a journey to southern Basilicata to visit the old city of Matera. Known as “Sassi di Matera,” the historic village has gained recognition as a “Stone City” because of its distinctive architectural style. And that, in turn, has made it a deserving UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Evidence of human presence in the region extends back thousands of years, to the Paleolithic epoch, which is when Matera’s history began. The Sassi, which translates as “stone” in Italian, is a deep ravine that has been chiselled into the calcareous rock. For ages, the locals lived there and used it for homes, churches, and even entire neighbourhoods. Walking through the narrow alleyways of the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano districts, visitors can glimpse glimpses of daily life as it has unfolded for centuries. Stone facades adorned with weathered wooden doors open into dimly lit interiors. The coolness of the caves provides respite from the scorching Mediterranean sun.

Also read: Italy Has Launched A Digital Nomad Visa For Remote Workers & Here’s How You Can Apply For It!

History & Culture All-Around

Over the centuries, the city has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, each leaving its mark on the landscape. Because of their extreme poverty and filthy conditions, the city’s Sassi served as a symbol of Italy’s social problems in the middle of the 20th century. Things started to get better in the 1980s. The Sassi of Matera started to be revitalized. Both sustainable tourism and the restoration of the cave houses were priorities. The historic city was named the European Capital of Culture in 2019.

Casa Noha, the museum, tells the story of Matera from the beginning of time to its crisis point in the 1950s, ending with its most recent renaissance. La Palomba, an outdoor gallery with one-of-a-kind sculptures, is situated outside of Matera. Matera is full of delightful surprises, one around every corner. The ideal method to find them is to take a trip down the charming, winding lanes on foot.

So, when are you heading to Matera?

Cover image credits: Canva