Sassi di Matera
human settlement in Matera, Province of Matera, Basilicata, Italy
Contents
9 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Matera, often referred to as the 'City of Stones' or 'Città dei Sassi'. You are standing in one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on the planet, with a human presence stretching back roughly nine…
Listen in the app2The Palombaro Lungo — The Underwater Cathedral
We begin our deeper investigation at the Piazza Vittorio Veneto, beneath which lies a marvel of hydraulic engineering known as the Palombaro Lungo. To understand Matera, one must understand its relationship with water. …
Listen in the app3Sasso Barisano — The Art of Restoration
As we move into the Sasso Barisano district, you will notice a different aesthetic compared to the more rugged areas of the city. This northern section of the Sassi was the first to undergo large-scale restoration starting in the…
Listen in the app4The Cathedral of Matera — The Sentinel on the Civita
Standing at the highest point of the city, on the ridge of the Civita, is the Cathedral of Santa Maria della Bruna and Sant'Eustachio. Built in the thirteenth century in the Apulian Romanesque style, this cathedral serves as the…
Listen in the app5Sasso Caveoso and the Casa Grotta — The Reality of the Past
Descending into the Sasso Caveoso, we encounter a more primal version of Matera. Unlike the Barisano, this district feels closer to its original, unpolished state. …
Listen in the app6Santa Maria di Idris — The Church in the Rock
One of the most iconic silhouettes in Matera is the Monte Erone, a massive limestone monolith that rises from the heart of the Sasso Caveoso. Perched near its summit is the Church of Santa Maria di Idris, a 'Rupestrian' or…
Listen in the app7San Pietro Caveoso and the Edge of the Abyss
Located on a dramatic precipice at the edge of the Sassi is the Church of San Pietro Caveoso. While the church we see today has a beautiful seventeenth-century Baroque facade, its foundations are much older, dating back to the…
Listen in the app8Parco della Murgia Materana — The Ancient Origins
To conclude our physical journey, we look toward the Parco della Murgia Materana, the wild plateau that sits across the Gravina canyon. This park is an archaeological treasure trove, containing traces of human life from the…
Listen in the app9Closing
As our tour concludes, take a final look at the Sassi as they begin to glow under the evening sky. There is a specific magic that happens in Matera at twilight. …
Listen in the app
What is Sassi di Matera?
Sassi di Matera is a place with 9 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Type | Heritage |
|---|---|
| Story sections | 9 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 40.6667, 16.6083 |
| Last updated |
