Matera, the city of the Sassi, one of the most romantic cities in Italy, recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, is an unmissable destination if you are visiting southern Italy.
Matera owes its fame to the two districts, Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso, which constitute the oldest nucleus of the historic centre. Archaeological studies have shown that this area has been continuously inhabited since the Paleolithic period. From then on, history has passed over this settlement several times, the origins of which are lost in myth.
The city, capital of the province of the same name in Basilicata, stands on the walls of a deep gorge dug by a stream, the Gravina di Matera. Many of its houses are dug into the rock, tangible evidence of the ancient rock civilization that settled here in remote times. In addition to the rock dwellings, the other buildings also seem to come to life directly from the light stone of the canyon, creating a labyrinth in which it is easy to lose your sense of orientation. Between the two Sassi, on a rocky spur, stands the Civita, the historic district that houses the Cathedral, the noble palaces and the representative buildings of the ancient city.
Visiting the Sassi of Matera is a unique experience. Climbing up alleys and stairways you have the impression of entering a place where the past and present merge in a reality outside of time. And if during the day the light of the sun can be dazzling, it is in the evening that Matera is at its best, when the lights of the houses come on, the sunset dyes the stone red and everything is transformed into a "starry sky".
In this short video, I propose a one-day itinerary through the streets of the historic center of Matera. Keep in mind that in summer the city can be very hot and getting around it can be very tiring but it is still worth it. Bring a good supply of water and don't forget your hat and sunglasses. In the evening it will be a completely different story and I am sure that Matera will leave you enchanted.
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00:00 Introduction
00:20 Matera by day
01:43 Matera by night
02:59 Credits