Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario

Welcome to the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, one of the most significant and evocative cultural sites in the city of Matera. As we stand at the entrance to this humble dwelling, you are looking at more than just a home; you are…

Step inside the main chamber of the Casa Grotta, and the first thing you will notice is the remarkable efficient use of space. This single large room served as the kitchen, bedroom, living room, and even a stable. …

The kitchen area of the Casa Grotta is a testament to the resourcefulness of the Materan people. The hearth, often just a small stone structure, was the heart of the home, used for cooking and for providing a meager amount of…

In a corner of the main room stands a large wooden loom, an essential piece of equipment for any traditional Materan household. While the men worked in the fields, the women were responsible for the domestic economy, which…

As we move toward the side of the dwelling, we see the arrangements made for the family's many children. In Matera, high birth rates were common, partly to ensure enough labor for the fields and partly due to a lack of birth…

At the deepest part of the cave, we find the stabling area, which was often separated from the living space by only a low stone wall or a wooden partition. This is where the family's mule, donkey, or occasionally a pig would live. …

One of the most challenging aspects of life in the Sassi was the management of hygiene and waste. As we look at the corners of the Casa Grotta, we can see the improvised solutions used by the inhabitants. …

As we conclude our visit to the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, we have traversed a landscape of memory that is both difficult and inspiring. We have seen how the families of Matera's Sassi turned a harsh, underground environment…