Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and even if your interest in history lessons never extended beyond the mandatory school curriculum – it’s a destination that deserves your attention!
People first settled in Matera around 30 000 years ago and it’s a true ancient gem that is unlike anything I have ever seen in Italy or the neighboring European countries.
In the 1950s Matera was considered “the shame of Italy” because of the extreme poverty and widespread disease in its ancient sassi districts. (Sassi meaning a great stone)
There were a very high rates of malaria and infant mortality, and people lived in one room caves without electricity, running water or sewage; often sharing the same space
with donkeys and other animals.
Eventually the residents were relocated on the outskirts of the crumbling city leaving
Matera empty for the first time in 10 000 years.
The city got a boost, when it became a World heritage site in 1993 and over the year it has gained more and more tourist attraction.
In 2019 Matera was the capital of Culture and the 25th Bond movie that will be released this year was filmed in Matera.
I only spent a day in this city, which was enough to get a good impression, but not enough to give you a comprehensive ‘what to do list’ and guide.
As always, I highly recommend getting lost in the city, re-inventing in your own mind the life as it could have been thousands of years ago.
Roam through the labyrinth of narrow alleyways, up and down uneven stone staircases, find yourself at dead ends, or on the edge of the city with an expansive view overlooking the sassi.
Go on a guided walking tour to learn more about the history, or re-imagine the city how it once was, over 15 000 years ago, tracing the scars of the history
still present on the cave walls.
Today Most of the caves are homes, modernized hotels, and restaurants, so you will get to experience all the comforts of modern-day travel, but to get a taste of the past, you can still find uninhabited caves (apparently around 30% of sassi are still empty) that will give you a better sense of what it was like to live here years ago.
Sit down, close your eyes and Let your imagination run wild.
I will let the photos speak for themselves!
留言