Location: Matera
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The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Matera, Basilicata
Get to Matera quickly, because it’s still relatively undiscovered by foreign tourists. In town, visit the Domenico Ridola National Museum. Matera’s real claim to fame, though, and the reason it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the extensive series of cave dwellings ("i sassi") southeast of town, first inhabited by Benedictine and Basilian monks. You’ll see individual cells, chapels, and even some churches, many adorned with Byzantine decorations and frescoes.
Restaurants in Matera
1. Sassi di Matera
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15,727 reviews
Matera, conosciuta come La città dei Sassi, si è sviluppata intorno al suo antico borgo. Nel 1993 è diventata Patrimonio Mondiale dell’UNESCO e sarà Capitale Europea della cultura 2019. Questi riconoscimenti hanno riscattato una città ritenuta vergogna nazionale. Grazie al volere di Togliatti e De Gasperi che hanno voluto lo sfollamento dei Sassi Matera conosciuta come La città dei Sassi si è sviluppata intorno al suo antico borgo. Nel 1993 è diventata Patrimonio Mondiale dell’UNESCO e sarà Capitale Europea della cultura 2019. Questi riconoscimenti hanno riscattato una città ritenuta vergogna nazionale. Grazie al volere di Togliatti e De Gasperi che hanno voluto lo sfollamento dei Sassi, Matera si è ripresa da questo periodo oscuro I Rioni del centro storico Il centro storico è suddiviso in quattro parti: Civita, Sasso Barisano, Sasso Caveoso e Il Piano. Le antiche civiltà che hanno popolato il lato della gravina dove attualmente sorge Matera, si sono insediate sulla Civita.
Reviewed By 422stefanam - Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Sassi di Matera is a beautiful place, you have the impression you step in another world, an ancient one. Impressive churches, history all around, stunning views from each corner, splendid both by day but especially by night. Lots of restaurants to eat, lots of narrow streets where to get lost and enjoy the silence and the charm of the old city. You can admire it also from Gravina, if you pass on the other side of the canyon.
2. Materasum Ipogeo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 323 reviews
Matera Sum ipogeo is a place where space and time stop to tell you the history. traditions and culture mix of one of the most ancient cities in the world. pure emotion from the depths of the earth
Reviewed By supergirlUk - New Malden, United Kingdom
Great visit with very helpful audio guide in Italian but written explanations in English, French and Japanese. Great historical visit explaining the way life used to be in Matera
3. Sasso Barisano
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By Primoitajuba - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Don’t miss the Sassi ! It’s impossible to describe ! An incredible experience in the heart of Basilicata . Small and charmy city with wonderful restaurants, food and wines !
4. Church of Santa Maria de Idris
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 748 reviews
This church is carved into a huge rock pinnacle jutting from the lip of a gorge.
Reviewed By dakkass - Isola d'Ischia, Italy
Carved into the rock at its summit it's the focal point of the town! Very beautiful the view from outside the two churches. Worth the ticket!
5. Cattedrale di Matera
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 891 reviews
Reviewed By LEnriquesC - Brasilia, Brazil
The Chapel of the Annunciation is very precious, with several sculptures, among which a beautiful Pieta in the upper part. It is dedicated to Santa Maria della Brunna, whose Byzantine icon it has. And formerly there was in its place the church of San Eustaquio, patron saint of the city, and the ceiling is full of frescoes with scenes from her life.
6. Parco delle Chiese Rupestri di Matera
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 410 reviews
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.
7. Chiesa di San Rocco
8. Cripta del Peccato Originale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,059 reviews
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.
9. Chiesa rupestre di Santa Lucia alle Malve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 497 reviews
Reviewed By CassandraL1991 - Toronto, Canada
This church is incredible and full of history. Santa Lucia alle Malve is a rupestrian church in Matera, an ancient monastery that welcomed Benedictine-order nuns between the 8th and 16th centuries. Inside Santa Lucia alle Malve – located near Sasso Caveoso – you can still see many mural paintings, mostly from the 13th century, with a wide range of holy representations including the Nursing Madonna, Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Gregory, Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica. I highly recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes to visit this church.
10. Chiesa rupestre di San Pietro Barisano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 341 reviews
Reviewed By 840gabrielh - Bellaire, United States
Dating back to the 12th century, St. Peter's is built over a cave complex that served as a repository for the dead. There are fascinating frescoes from the 15th century upon entering the church, representing several saints and the Annunciation. Open daily to visitors, but hours are much longer in the Summer than the Winter months. A token entrance fee is required; reduced fees apply to certain groups. A walking tour of the Sassi is probably the most efficient way to visit.
