Prior to the mid-20th century, the ancient Italian city of Matera was considered backwards, impoverished, and not a place that many tourists were keen on visiting. As the 20th century marched on, the discovery of a secret 9th century monastery known as the Crypt of the Original Sin and the allure of a city made almost entirely out of stone attracted artists, historians, and travelers from around the globe.
Matera, Basilicata, Italy: landscape at sunset of the picturesque old town called Sassi of the city European Capital of Culture 2019
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Today, Matera is a celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cave dwellings of Matera—which are known as Sassi—are some of the oldest continuously occupied cave dwellings on Earth. In addition to housing residents, the sassi of Matera are home to boutique hotels, Airbnbs, and and cafes where visitors can sip espresso and take in a stunning view of one of the world’s most well-preserved Paleolithic cities.
There are several walking tours of Matera which showcase the city’s grand, rugged rock churches, modern music venues, and historic cave dwellings. Casa Grotto C’era Una Volta showcases what life was like in the not so distant past when a family of 6 or more people lived in a sassi with their animals, tools, and personal belongings.
Matera, Basilicata, Italy: interior of an old cave house carved into the tufa rock in the old town (sassi di Matera)
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One of Matera’s most revered caves is a 9th century monastery known as the Crypt of the Original Sin. The Crypt of the Original Sin initially served as a secluded stone monastery where monks painted Biblical figures such Adam and Eve on the walls.
Interior of dwellings carved into the mountainside of Matera city on a rocky outcrop
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For several centuries, the Crypt of the Original Sin served as a cozy rest stop for shepherds and their sheep. The Crypt of the Original Sin didn’t receive widespread attention until the 1960s, when a group of students stumbled upon the cave and marveled at the well-preserved frescos that featured biblical scenes framed by delicate paintings of red roses.
The ancient and famous church built in the stone that dominate the village of Matera
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Matera is also home to countless galleries, jazz clubs, and art installations. In recent years, large replicas of some of Salvador Dali’s…
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