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Matera

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City
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Matera (Italy)
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Practical info — Matera

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes as the stone streets in the Sassi are uneven and slippery when wet.
  • The best time to photograph the Sassi is at sunset from the Belvedere di Murgia Timone across the ravine.
  • Parking is restricted in the historical center; use the public garages in the new town and walk.
  • Many cave churches require a modest entrance fee; consider a combined ticket if visiting several.

🍽 Food

🍽
Crapiata

A traditional rustic bean and wheat soup. Look for it in traditional trattorias within the Sassi.

🍽
Pane di Matera

Famous local bread with a thick crust and yellow crumb. Buy a fresh loaf at any local bakery (panificio).

🍽
Peperoni Cruschi

Dried, crispy sweet peppers often served as a snack or over pasta. Available in local specialty food shops and restaurants.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Cuccù

Traditional terracotta whistles painted in bright colors, shaped like roosters. Great souvenirs found in artisan shops in the Sassi.

🛍
Local Cheeses

Visit a salumeria in the modern part of town to pick up caciocavallo cheese and lucanica sausage.

🧘
Parco della Murgia Materana

Explore the rugged park across the ravine for ancient cave churches and a peaceful escape from the city.

🧘
Piazza San Pietro Caveoso

While popular, early mornings here offer a serene view over the gorge before the tour groups arrive.

Highlights of 2026

7

Matera is one of the most fascinating and unique cities in the world, a place that seems to defy time. Located in the southern Italian region of Basilicata, the city is famous for its 'Sassi,' a complex network of cave dwellings carved into the soft limestone rock of a deep ravine. These prehistoric settlements are considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites on Earth and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visiting Matera is like stepping into a biblical landscape; the city has often served as a filming location for historical movies. The Sassi are divided into two districts, the Sasso Caveoso and the Sasso Barisano, forming a labyrinth of alleys, stairs, courtyards, rock-hewn churches (chiese rupestri) with Byzantine frescoes, and simple dwellings carved into the stone. After its inhabitants were forcibly relocated in the 1950s due to unsanitary conditions, the Sassi have undergone an incredible renaissance. Today, they host stylish boutique hotels, atmospheric restaurants, artists' studios, and museums. Its designation as a European Capital of Culture in 2019 firmly placed Matera on the world tourism map, celebrating its incredible history and surreal beauty.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C56912172326262016117
Rain mm755965514335383658778972

Live webcam – Matera

See what it looks like near Matera right now.

Matera: EPITECH srl - Italy · 2.1 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
60,403
Coordinates
40.66640, 16.60430

Facts

  • Founded by Romans in 251 BC as Matheola
  • Over 150 rock-hewn churches in the area
  • Palombaro Lungo cistern holds 5 million liters
  • Highest point sits at 401 meters above sea level
  • Located roughly 65 kilometers from Bari
  • Population stable at approximately 60,400 residents

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Matera (20)

Sassi di Matera

The ancient cave dwellings of Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993.

Cattedrale di Matera

A 13th-century Apulian Romanesque cathedral offering a panoramic view over the Sasso Barisano district.

🕒 Mo-Sa 09:00-17:30; Su 09:00-10:00, 12:30-17:30

Castello Tramontano

An unfinished 16th-century fortification on Lapillo Hill, built to oversee the city of Matera.

Palombaro Lungo

A massive underground water cistern located beneath Piazza Vittorio Veneto, dating back to the 16th century.

San Pietro Barisano

The largest rock church in Matera, featuring a 15th-century facade and extensive underground catacombs.

MUSMA

The Museum of Contemporary Sculpture, housed in the 17th-century Palazzo Pomarici within the Sassi.

Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario

A historic cave residence showing how peasant families lived in Matera until the mid-20th century.

Parco della Murgia Materana

A natural park containing over 150 rupestrian churches and prehistoric settlements across the canyon.

Santa Maria de Idris

A distinctive church carved into the Monterrone rock, known for its precious Byzantine frescoes.

Palazzo Lanfranchi

A 17th-century former seminary that now houses the National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art.

serbatoio acquedotto🌿 nature

Historic aqueduct reservoir carved into the Sassi of Matera.

Vecchia giostrina anni 80👨‍👩‍👧 family

Vecchia giostrina anni 80 in Matera is a nostalgic little playground for children.

Parchetto per bambini Giada👨‍👩‍👧 family

Parchetto per bambini Giada in Matera is a small, friendly play area for local families.

Chiesa Rupestre Madonna di Monteverde🏺 historical

An ancient rock-hewn church located in the archaeological area of Matera.

Chisa ruprestre santuario Madonna delle Tre Porte🏺 historical

A historic sanctuary and rock church featuring ancient frescoes in Matera.

Chiesa Rupestre di San Falcione🏺 historical

A significant rupestrian church integrated into the rocky landscape of Matera.

La Casa di Ortega🏛 museum

A museum and cultural center dedicated to the Spanish artist José Ortega in Matera.

Aquaworld🎡 recreation

A swimming pool in Matera providing refreshment and leisure fun.

Area Piscina "Masseria San Francesco"🎡 recreation

A swimming pool area in Matera located within a historic complex.

Piscina Comunale "Palasassi"🎡 recreation

A municipal swimming pool in Matera serving the local community.

Frequently asked questions

What are the 'Sassi di Matera'?
Historic cave dwellings carved directly into the limestone rock, part of UNESCO Heritage.
Was a famous movie filmed here?
Yes, Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ' and James Bond's 'No Time to Die' were filmed here.
Can you stay overnight in the caves?
Yes, many of the caves have been converted into unique boutique hotels and B&Bs.
What is the best time to visit?
Spring and autumn are handy; it can get very hot in the stone alleys during summer.
What is the Crypt of the Original Sin?
A nearby cave church with Byzantine frescoes, often called the 'Sistine Chapel of cave art'.
Matera: where is it located?
Matera is located in Italy.
Matera: what is there to see?
Highlights include Sassi di Matera, Cattedrale di Matera, Castello Tramontano.
Matera: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Matera: why is it worth visiting?
Matera is one of the most fascinating and unique cities in the world, a place that seems to defy time.
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