Why Matera?
Continually inhabited for over 10,000 years, Matera – La Citta’ dei Sassi – is considered among the most ancient on earth. This authentic open-air museum attests to the extraordinary human adventure from Paleolithic times to the present.
Matera’s aura is magical. The town is a disarming blend of contrasts with beautiful, unique cave-dwellings, magnificent baroque palaces and beautiful stone churches. At dusk the city and its biblical landscape resembles an enormous, stupendous crèche. It’s no surprise that this city, already a UNESCO World Heritage Site and unique in its genre, was declared the 2019 European Capital of Culture.
We recommend an iconic dinner in the Rock Hewn Church, a visit to the beautiful Castel del Monte, or losing yourself in the winding back streets of the historic city during your four-night stay in Matera. If you want to explore further afield, journey to Alberobello where a local dairy farm will teach you the art of mozzarella making or wander through Locorotondo – known as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. If you desire, hop on the train to combine your stay with Naples, the Amalfi Coast, or Rome.