Matera Experience: 5 things not to miss

Matera is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its charm and its history have always enchanted poets and artists such as Carlo Levi and Giovanni Pascoli. City carved out of the limestone rock, Matera mixes perfectly story, culture and nature, creating beautiful landscapes, and offering visitors unique experiences.

European Capital of Culture 2019 and known more for the famous Sassi, first site in southern Italy declared a World Heritage, Matera is a unique city, full of hidden treasures, museums, festival, concerts, multimedia courses that are worth visiting at least once in life.

What to see in Matera

Whether you have a day or a long weekend, here are the best things to do in the city of Sassi.

The Cathedral of Matera

At the top of the Civitas hill stands the imposing cathedral in Matera, dedicated to the Madonna della Bruna and St. Eustatius, protectors of the city. Its construction dates back to the thirteenth century. Among its special features the decorated gate of the façade from which one can see the statue of the Madonna della Bruna, an impressive rose window 16 rays (symbol of the wheel of life) and the archangel Michael killing the dragon with two male figures on the sides and on the bottom that is used as an atlas. Of particular interest is the famous stone crib made in 1534 by Altobello Persio, which is characterized by the preciousness of the garments of the individual pastors.

The Rock Churches

The cave churches with their architectural virtuosity and their decorations are outstanding d 'art, expression of the historical territory – cultural. I'm almost there 150 Churches in the area of ​​Matera for the protection of which the Churches of Matera Rock Park was established, UNESCO World Heritage. Their construction dates mainly from the Middle Ages, when monasticism gave way to the Christian communities of Benedictine monks and Byzantine time and began to settle in the caves of the Gravina turning them into centers of prayer. Those mystical places, carved in the rock, They are one of the characteristics of the entire territory materano: crypts, chapels, basilicas, Sanctuaries and monasteries, along the walls of the plateau Gravina and Murgia. On a tour to discover Matera is essential to visit the Church of San Pietro Barisano located in the same Sasso, with the facade in Romanesque-Baroque style and the interior completely carved into the stone where there are seven altars, a series of frescoes and a crypt with the ossuary.

numbers – Sculpture Museum

The Musma, Museum of Contemporary Sculpture of Matera, It is located in the Palazzo Pomeraci, also known for its large size as “Palace of the one hundred rooms”. It is dedicated to sculpture and welcomes visitors with a rich collection of sculptures, pottery, jewelry, medals, Art books, prints and drawings donated by artists, collectors, private galleries from Zétema Foundation. In addition to permanent displays and temporary exhibitions the museum also houses the library Vanni Scheiwiller, a rich collection of over 5000 books donated by the widow of the editor, great lover.

The Palombaro Lungo

The Palombaro Lungo is the large cistern dug in Piazza Vittorio, in the center of Matera, used until the early decades of the last century for drinking water collection. Its name comes from “plumbarius”, the Latin word for water projects. Built in 1846, thanks to Bishop Di Macco, as a water supply for the inhabitants of the Caveoso, the majestic cistern was dug in 1991 on the occasion of the square works. The tank, deep 15 meters and containing about 5.000 cubic meters of water, was part of an ingenious water collection system consists of a complex network of canals: caves, galleries, to capture rainwater and groundwater near the Castle Tramontano in Monte. A fascinating journey of about 17 meters deep and you can admire one of the tanks dug in the largest rock in the world, admirable work of hydraulic engineering, huge and silent as a “Cathedral water”.

Bird watching and nature reserves

The Murgia Park, The Regional Reserve San Giuliano and Timmari Colle are the natural areas that you can visit in Matera. The wildlife, the beautiful scenery and historical and cultural relics value characterize the entire territory of Basilicata but if you want to live very special travel experience you should visit the area of ​​Lake San Giuliano. Note the presence of birds and the sighting huts, the nature reserve is well suited to the activities of Bird whatching thanks to 140 species of birds that inhabit places.