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MateraCulture & history

Our most recommended Matera Culture & history

From Matera: Sassi di Matera Tour with Entry to Cave Houses

1. From Matera: Sassi di Matera Tour with Entry to Cave Houses

Embark on a day out in Sassi and explore the ancient neighbourhoods with a live guide. See a series of grottoes carved out of limestone and marvel at the Sasso Barisano and the Sasso Caveoso. Your tour will begin at the meeting point in Via Alessandro Volta. From here, your expert guide will lead you to the Church of San Francesco, situated in the historic centre of the city. Next, you’ll continue along a panoramic road comprised of narrow streets and winding alleys. After arriving at the Rupestre Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, you’ll find a pleasant surprise waiting inside: a classic example of the traditional culture of this remarkable city. Afterwards, you’ll move on to visit a typical Matera cave-house before continuing along Via Madonna delle Virtù and Porta Pistoia "Pert P’stèl" to conclude your cultural adventure.

Matera: Sassi History and Culture Walking Tour

2. Matera: Sassi History and Culture Walking Tour

Discover the Sassi historical neighbourhoods with a local, certified guide by joining a small group (max 16). Along this pleasant walk, which twists and turns in Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano’s alleys and panoramic views, there will be several stops to dig into the depths of Matera’s historical, architectural and cultural background. Over the centuries, the Sassi urban area has undergone many transformation and stratification processes, so much so that its architecture is indeed fascinating. Along the tour there are several stops to provide an in-depth analysis of the historical and social aspects which determined, over time, the changing of socio-economic conditions of the territory. The gradual and inexorable decay of the Sassi area eventually made it become a “ghost town”; however, nowadays we can finally appreciate and enjoy the rebirth the Sassi are currently witnessing. It will be possible to admire the outsides of the Cathedral and visit one of the most representative rock-hewn churches, both for the perfectly recognizable architectural structure, both for the great state of preservation of the medieval mural paintings.

Matera: Sassi Tour with Entry to Rock Houses and Churches

3. Matera: Sassi Tour with Entry to Rock Houses and Churches

Historic Center and Sassi TourIt consists of a walking tour from the main square of the historic centre, Piazza Vittorio Veneto (starting point, arch-shaped fountain reference), with a panoramic view of the Sasso Barisano.Continue through the historic center until you reach Piazza Duomo where it will be possible to view the Cathedral from the outside and then enter the Sasso Caveoso. From here there will be a visit to the furnished house of peasant civilization, a frescoed rock church, a visit to the barbaric cemetery and the various neighborhoods.Everything will be explained by an authorized guide, which will allow you to understand the history of the city.The tour will end in Piazza Giovanni Pascoli in the historic center, close to the Sasso Caveoso.

Matera: Walking Tour with Entry to Cave House

4. Matera: Walking Tour with Entry to Cave House

A priceless treasure of the verdant Basilicata region, Matera is the area's stone masterpiece and stands in all its beauty on high ground. Declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1993 as a testament to its uniqueness, it preserves structures that are all one-of-a-kind, the famous "Sassi." These are distributed in two areas called "Caveoso" and "Barisano" that offer incredible views of the area but are in themselves of great uniqueness and interest given their thousand-year history and architecture. During this visit you will have the chance to discover a Cave House dug into the rock and on 3 different levels. Passing through the Central Square that offers a beautiful view of the Sassi, you will have a crescendo of wonders and emotions going up to the Civita and the Cathedral that dominates the city from above. The walking tour ends in the heart of the Sasso Caveoso, which with its picturesque caves has many times provided spaces for various film productions such as Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ," or 007's No Time to Die in which James Bond is played by Daniel Craig. An enjoyable guided walking tour conducted at the right cadence to enjoy the best of Matera with a 100% local guide.

Walking tour of the Sassi of Matera

5. Walking tour of the Sassi of Matera

Starting from the main square of the city 'Piazza Vittorio Veneto', you will explore the 'Sassi', the ancient districts of the city. From the most beautiful and breathtaking viewpoints, to the most hidden and fascinating corners. Entering in to the caves of Matera, you will see how the families were living. You will learn about the ingenious system for the rainwater collection, essential for the survival of the population. Knowing all the secrets of Matera, you will learn how this city went from being the 'shame of Italy' to be a UNESCO site and a jewel of the Italian cultural heritage.

Matera: Crypt of the Original Sin Ticket and Transfer

6. Matera: Crypt of the Original Sin Ticket and Transfer

Discover the beautiful frescoes in the Crypt of the Original Sin with an included ticket and transfer from Matera. Learn about the history of this ancient cave and its captivating art with an audio guide. Meet your driver at the meeting point in Matera, then drive for approximately 20 minutes to the crypt in an air-conditioned minivan. Upon arrival, enter the natural cave and prepare to be amazed by rock paintings that date from the 8th century. See various depictions of biblical scenes, including the one of Adam and Eve that gives the crypt its name. Hear how the cave was used as a church by Benedictine monks, and find out how the frescos showcase typical properties of Benedictine art at the time. After your tour of the crypt, you'll return to Matera and be dropped off at the original meeting point.

From Matera: Crypt of Original Sin Tour with Wine Tasting

7. From Matera: Crypt of Original Sin Tour with Wine Tasting

Discover the beautiful frescoes of the Original Sin Crypt with ticket included and transfer from Matera. Discover the history of this ancient cave and its captivating art with an audio guide. Meet your driver at the meeting point in Matera; then, drive for about 20 minutes to the crypt in an air-conditioned minivan. Upon arrival, enter the natural cave and prepare to be amazed by the cave paintings that date back to the 8th century. See various depictions of biblical scenes, including that of Adam and Eve giving the crypt its name. Listen to how the cave was used as a church by Benedictine monks and discover how the frescoes show the typical properties of Benedictine art of the time. After the tour of the crypt, you will return to Matera and you will be taken back to the original meeting point.

Sassi di Matera Walking Tour

8. Sassi di Matera Walking Tour

This exciting tour begins at the Piazzetta Pascoli with a breathtaking view over the stunning Sassi di Matera and highland plateau of the Murgia. From here, you can see the Palazzo Lanfranchi, home to the Museum of Modern and Medieval Art of Basilicata, and the nearby Church of the Carmine. Continue the tour through the heart of the ancient dwellings of Sassi, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, partly built and partly carved out of the rock themselves and furnished as it used to be during the peasant civilization. Visit the church of Saint Lucy of the Malve and admire some striking frescoes and elaborate architecture before continuing the tour towards the ancient Gravina to the museum of farm history, with typical peasant dwellings, as well as artifacts and tools from the ancient peasant life. You'll also get to visit a typical cave house from around 1900, and pass the cave church of Saint Lucia delle Malve. Before the day's end, return to the center of town for a stroll around the town's Baroque area and admire some stunning churches of this style, including Saint Clare and Saint Francis of Assisi. End the fascinating tour at a look-out point over the Sasso Barisano in front of the beautiful Romanesque Cathedral.

Matera: Walking tour with entries in Cave House and Church

9. Matera: Walking tour with entries in Cave House and Church

At first glance, Matera looks like any small Italian town, but in few steps from Baroque Churches and boutiques you will discover the very special place called Sassi, where the peaple lived from Neolithic Period until the 50 th of the last centuary. Join your local and expert guide in the center of the city where this fascinating tour of Sassi will begin. Learn about its unique history and evolution. Discover rupestrian stuctures, stroll the narrow lanes and gain the deeper understanding of how this town, once called the "shame of Italy" , is now a UNESCO - world heritage. Have an oportunity to visit a cave house and an ancient rupestrian church with entiries included in price, to discover and understand how the simple peaple lived in Sassi for many centuaries. Admire the panoramic view of the Murgia Materana Park from the balconies and learn about the origins of Matera, one ot the oldest Cities in the world.

Matera: Casa Noha Entry Ticket

10. Matera: Casa Noha Entry Ticket

Enhance your experience in Matera with an entry ticket to Casa Noha. Watch the history of this ancient city unfold through an insightful multimedia project. Step inside the historical house of Casa Noha and embark on an audio-visual tour of Matera as you move from room to room. Immerse yourself in the city's long history, from its prehistoric origins to its periods of prosperity. View the city of Matera in context, understanding its ancient roots, architecture, and landscapes. After your visit to Casa Noha, explore the city with a new perspective.

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What people are saying about Matera

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 250 reviews

Annalisa was a fabulous tour guide. Having a tour guide whose own grandparents experienced the Sassi was really eye opening. She was extremely engaging and shared with us so much history about Matera. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who is looking to learn more about this magical city.

Maria Teresa was our supurb guide through the 2 neighbourhoods of Matera. She was knowledgable, patient, kind and totally worth the drive to Matera. A++

Amazing amazing, our guide Antonio was extremely knowledgeable helpful friendly. I super recommend

Very nice and well known guide. The tour was very interesting

The guide was excellent. Deep knowledge about history.