MATERA | BASILICATA

Discover Matera

Matera in Basilicata is situated at the centre of a large karstic plateau, and is famous for its “Sassi” (stones). The Sassi of Matera are groups of ancient dwellings dug into the rock of two ravines: the Barisano, which faces Bari, and the Caveoso, which looks towards Taranto.
The Sassi of Matera are the subject of major study and restoration, as are the cathedral and the del Purgatorio church.
Worth visiting nearby are the ancient churches of Santa Maria della Colomba and Santa Maria della Valle, both with Romanesque facades.

Matera has maintained large areas of natural beauty, such as the area of Lake St. Giuliano, the Pantano Woods at Policoro, the monumental-environmental area of Calanchi, the Gallipoli Cognato Nature Park and Lucania “Small Dolomites”, and also the Murgia Materana Archaeological Park.
Not to be missed is the Park of the Rock Churches established in 1978 to house 150 cave churches and Neolithic foundations discovered in the area.
At Miglionico is the enchanting Malconsiglio Castle.
Among the Ionion coast seaside resorts of greatest interest are Policoro, Scanzano and Pisticci. Dating back to the 4th century B.C. is the village of Montescaglioso, where one can visit the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo.
Matera, like the province of Potenza, is one of Italy’s major provinces for agriculture and sheep, pig and goat farming.
Matera is a wine producing area, and Matera wine has received DOC recognition.