Church of Saint Mary of Idris

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.

Starting from the main square of the city, the Piazza Vittorio Veneto, you will explore the Sassi, the ancient districts of the city. Discover Matera's charm, from the most beautiful and breathtaking viewpoints, to the most hidden and fascinating corners. Entering the caves of Matera, you will see how families once lived. 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.

This consists of a walking tour of the Sassi district, starting from an arch-shaped fountain in the main square of the historic center. Enjoy panoramic views of the Sasso Barisano. We continue through the historical center until we reach Piazza Duomo, where it will be possible to view the exterior of the Cathedral and then move on to the Sasso Caveoso, the city's oldest and most famous district. From here there will be a visit to the furnished house of the peasant civilization, a rupestrian church, and Santa Maria De Idris where you can see some Byzantine frescoes. Make a visit to the barbarian cemetery and various neighborhoods. What will make the visit to the Sassi special will be your expert guide who will tell the story of one of the oldest towns in the world.

The Walking Guided Tour of the Sassi starts in Piazza Pascoli with a historical and anthropological introduction of the Sassi neighborhoods. The tour continues through the historic center. Along the way, the guide will illustrate Baroque churches such as the Church of Purgatory and the Church of San Francesco d'Assisi. After visiting Piazza Vittorio Veneto - the main square of the historic center - the guide will lead you to explore an extraordinary hypogeum environment and, afterward, typically furnished cave-house with household furniture and work tools used by farmers in the fields. Crossing the Barisano neighborhood you enter the Sasso Caveoso area, dominated by the Monterrone cliff. On the top of the cliff, as indicated by a wrought iron cross, there are two ancient places of worship: the two churches of Madonna dell'Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone completely carved into the rock. The tour continues with the visit to a rock-hewn church.

Explore the stones in all their essence. Our tour of the two stones is the tour that gives the most complete experience to discover the history, places and customs of the place. You will explore the guerricchio balcony overlooking the Sasso Barisano, via San Biagio up to Piazzetta San Giovanni, where Matera was proclaimed European capital of culture, church of San Giovanni, visit Sasso Barisano district, rock church San Pietro Barisano, Visit Sasso Caveoso district, Church Santa Maria de Idris, Church San Giovanni in Monterrone, Grotta house, barbaric cemetery, neighborhoods and locations of the films. The tour ends in Piazza Pascoli.