THINGS TO DO IN MATERA

Spend the night in a boutique hotel built inside a cave

The most romantic thing to do in Matera is to book a hotel room in the Sassi. After the renovation of most of the buildings, the owners built art galleries, restaurant and amazing hotels inside the old caves.

Learn something about the ancient history of the town

Matera is one of the oldest inhabited settlements in the world. People have lived in the town since the Paleolithic era.

Admire the Rupestrian Churches Matera and the surrounding archaeological park of Murgia Materana are home to more than 100 churches, which host exceptional decorations and works of art.

Visit Casa Grotta of Vico Solitario

One of the oldest houses of Matera is Casa Grotta. There, visitors can see how people used to live in the caves in the 18th century.

Be amazed by Palombaro Lungo Palombaro Lungo is the largest underground water cistern of the town, built in 1864, and is visible to tourists.

Visit Matera’s Cathedral

On the top of the Civitas hill is the town cathedral, a majestic church dating from the 13th century.

Admire the art at Musma

Musma, Museum of Contemporary Sculptures of Matera, is maybe the most important museum of the town. It’s inside the 16th-century Palazzo Pomarici, in the heart of the Sassi.

Enjoy traditional food

Chefs use fresh seasonal vegetables and products to create excellent dishes, such as orecchiette pasta with chicory.

Watch The Passion of the Christ

Did you know that Mel Gibson chose Matera as the location for his movie The Passion of the Christ? You can do that in one of the open-air cinemas of the town in summer. | theculturetrip.com