Matera and the Sassi: Italy’s Ancient Cave City

Matera, located in the southern Italian region of Basilicata, is one of the most extraordinary destinations in Europe. Known for its dramatic landscape and ancient cave dwellings, the city is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site known as the Sassi di Matera — a network of rock-cut homes, churches, and passageways carved directly into limestone.

What makes Matera truly unique is its continuity of human habitation. Families lived inside these cave dwellings until the 1950s, when the Italian government relocated residents due to poor living conditions. Evidence of human presence in this area stretches back thousands of years, making Matera one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in Italy.

Built along a deep ravine, the city remained hidden and protected for centuries. With no major rivers nearby, residents developed ingenious water systems, carving cisterns into rock to collect rainwater and even storing snow during winter months. This self-sufficient infrastructure made cave life sustainable for generations.

What Is the Sassi di Matera?

The Sassi di Matera are divided into two districts — Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano — and represent one of humanity’s earliest examples of urban living carved into rock. In 1993, the area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and historical significance.

Since the 1980s, restoration efforts have transformed abandoned cave homes into boutique hotels, museums, restaurants, and cultural spaces. Today, visitors can even stay inside renovated cave accommodations that preserve the ancient architecture while offering modern comfort.

Why Explore Matera with a Local Guide?

While wandering the Sassi independently is possible, a local guide adds depth and context. Matera’s lanes and stairways can feel like a maze, and many of its most fascinating places — rock churches, viewpoints, and underground spaces — come alive when you understand the stories behind them.

Matera also gained international recognition as a film location thanks to its timeless atmosphere and striking resemblance to ancient towns described in religious texts. The city’s ravines and stone districts remain visually unforgettable, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Matera as a UNESCO Heritage and Cultural Icon

In 2019, Matera was named European Capital of Culture, marking a turning point in its international reputation. Cultural events and ongoing restoration projects have helped protect this once-forgotten city and share it with new generations of travelers.

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Looking for more destinations you can explore on foot? See our curated guide to the best walking tours in Italy — featuring Matera alongside top city walks across Emilia-Romagna, Liguria, Tuscany, Veneto and beyond.