The 10 Best Historic Sites in Province of Matera, Basilicata

January 11, 2022 Concepcion Newsome

The province of Matera (Italian: Provincia di Matera) is a province in the Basilicata region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Matera. It has an area of 3,447 square kilometres (1,331 sq mi) and a total population of 201,133; the city Matera has a population of 56,204. There are 31 comunes (Italian: comuni) in the province (see Comunes of the Province of Matera). The province of Matera is bordered by the province of Potenza in the west and south, the region of Calabria also to the south, the region of Apulia to the east and north, and by the Ionian Sea to the southeast.
Restaurants in Province of Matera

1. Parco delle Chiese Rupestri di Matera

Matera Italy +39 0835 336166 http://www.parcomurgia.it/
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 410 reviews

Parco delle Chiese Rupestri di Matera

According to the World Heritage site, "Matera's Sassi 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."

Reviewed By HvPssptWilTrvl - Newton, United States

There can be no reason not to visit this park. We had a rental car but the site can be accessed by tour bus / van, taxi, Uber, etc. This is an "A No. One" attraction and rightly so. Difficult walking even in the best of conditions. Allow 2-4 hours on a nice day to roam around the trails, take scenic pictures of the city, the gorge, the caves and whatever else you fancy. Rain came out of nowhere. If you plan on a half-day or more visit check the forecast. Best time to visit is in the early morning dim of sunrise when the natural lighting is beyond fantastic. Unfortunately, at sunset the city is to the west of the park and is shrouded in a dull gray cast of dinginess until the automated lights come at dusk when Matera's buildings and piazzas glow in gold hues.

2. Santuario Santa Maria di Picciano

Via Santuario di Picciano Monastero S. Maria di Picciano, 75100, Matera Italy +39 0835 302890 [email protected] http://www.santuariopicciano.it
Excellent
47%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Santuario Santa Maria di Picciano

Casa di accoglienza per giornate di ritiro e spiritualità. Camere singole e doppie per un totale di 80 posti letto. Possibilità di campeggio autogestito, per 60 posti.

3. Cripta del Peccato Originale

Contrada Pietrapenta SNC, 75100, Matera Italy +39 320 334 5323 [email protected] http://www.criptadelpeccatooriginale.it
Excellent
78%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,059 reviews

Cripta del Peccato Originale

The Crypt of the Original Sin, in Matera, is located inside a natural cave on the Murgia plateau, near the old Appian Way. Commonly known as “the Sistine Chapel of rupestrian art”, the Crypt was discovered in 1963 by a group of local youths, who noticed the splendid frescoes in what at the time, had become a shelter for sheep herds.Experts later dated the cycle of paintings back to the second half of the 8th century, with Late-Romanesque style and formal elements of Oriental inspiration, such as the Byzantine-style Triarchsand the profile of the Virgin Mary, majestically represented in the sumptuous clothes of the Byzantine empress, the Basilissa.The anonymous, humble artist – who was soon nicknamed the “Flower Painter” – depicted biblical figures in total freedom: God the Creator, Light and Darkness, Adam and Eve, the three Apostles John, Peter and Andrew, the Archangels and Mary. The paintings on the rough walls of the cave are different and unique in Matera’s iconographic context. The scenes are the fruit of the painter’s personal creativity and certainly speak of his freedom in translating complex depictions, and of a lively spontaneity in drawing images. The Crypt of Original Sin may only be visited by booking.

Reviewed By ElenaY54 - Boston, United States

The Crypt of Original Sin is a very unique place . specific to the Matera region of Italy. - Dwellings, churches- all in the carved in caves that have been inhabited since prehistoric times, through Roman times, middle ages - to now. Not to be missed by travelers to Basilicata.

4. La Torre Normanna

San Mauro Forte Italy http://www.comune.sanmauroforte.mt.it/csanmaurof/detail.jsp?otype=100068&id=101941
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

La Torre Normanna

5. Antica Matera Casa Grotta

Via Fiorentini 251 Sasso Barisano, 75100, Matera Italy +39 0835 334031 http://www.anticamatera.it/sito/am.html
Excellent
46%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 256 reviews

Antica Matera Casa Grotta

Once upon a time...a typical house of the past that shows and illustrates with sculptures and furniture the life in Matera.

Reviewed By 862stefanb - Cologne, Germany

Fascinating views on very archaic structures of living with incredible ideas to transport water into the caverns, constructing different places with constant temperatures to concerve food and protect families and animals back in history ....

6. Casa grotta del Casalnuovo

Rione Casalnuovo 308, 75100, Matera Italy +39 0835 314139 http://WWW.CASAGROTTA.COM
Excellent
55%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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4.5 based on 86 reviews

Casa grotta del Casalnuovo

Reviewed By TheKoolKestrel - Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

There are now several of these restored caves open in Matera - hard to imagine that the others would be better than this, plus it has the bonus of a rock crypt. We paid 3 euros per person for both. They were brought alive by the English audio guide (transmitted into the cave rather than through headphones) - other languages also available - though this may not have worked so well if the venue had been busy (we were the only people, on a midweek early evening). The dwelling has four surprisingly spacious rooms, filled with artefacts that would have been used by the inhabitants, who only left in 1958. The rock crypt is simple and on three levels and has an interesting surprise at the bottom. Another advantage of this location is that it is currently in a less restored and touristed section of the sassi (though clearly being developed fast) and so more evocative we felt.

7. Casa Cisterna Sotterranea

Ponte San Pietro Caveoso, 75100, Matera Italy +39 348 174 3135 [email protected] http://www.casacisterna.it/
Excellent
61%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 100 reviews

Casa Cisterna Sotterranea

An ancient house in the Sassi of Matera. There is inside an old cistern for collecting water. And also an ancient mill. This home is carved into the rock. And here lived people of Matera in troglodyte caves. The furnishings of the rooms are as they were in the past.

Reviewed By showmemo61 - Jefferson City, United States

This cave home was amazing for the fact that it has been preserved for future visitors to see the conditions that the people in the Sassi actually lived in. They lived in caves like this until the 1950's.

8. La Casa di Ortega

Via San Nicola del Sole Sasso Barisano, 75100, Matera Italy +39 366 935 7768 [email protected] http://www.casaortega.it
Excellent
69%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

La Casa di Ortega

Reviewed By BrynH261 - Melbourne, Australia

This boutique Museum is one of the best I have experienced on my travels... ever! Preserved by the family of this Spanish artist who was in exile, and now overseen by an independant body, the small but incredible body of his works remain hanging in his house of 5 years. His relief works in terracota base with papiermache built up, sculptural layers are dynamic and colourful, powerfully portraying the Spanish torments of the time... knowing he was inspired by Matera to produce these artworks here is one thing... then seeing contemporary artists inspired by him making pieces and installations for this museum today is powerful. A rug, sculpture, leadlight windows, ceramic tiled ceilings in , what was the Dining and Bedrooms had my mouth wide open... the kitchen and bathroom renovations/installations are a sensory overload but so incredibly beautiful... textural, colourful and insightful. Even the terracotta light shades on the artwork spotlights impressed me. A beautiful charming attendant also gave a short but informative insight to the home and afterwards showed us onto the terrace with really wonderful views of the Matera gorge adjacent. Not what you would expect here but if you are into contemporary art, please pay a visit.

9. Palazzo Marchesale

Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 75016 Pomarico Italy http://www.pomaricointour.com/palazzo-marchesale.html
Excellent
86%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
14%
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4.5 based on 7 reviews

Palazzo Marchesale

10. Palazzo Rondinelli - Fondo Antico

Via Roma 3, 75023 Montalbano Jonico Italy +39 0835 691078
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Palazzo Rondinelli - Fondo Antico

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