Matera, from “the shame of Italy” to Unesco world heritage site and European capital of culture for 2019.
Its astonishing beauty has inspired many film directors, from Pier Paolo Pasolini who filmed Il Vangelo secondo Matteo here, to Mel Gibson with The Passion of the Christ up to the more recent last chapter of 007 saga No time to die.
Matera, located in the rugged Basilicata region of Southern Italy, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993, Matera is globally renowned for its extraordinary troglodyte settlements, known as the Sassi di Matera, which offer a journey back to the dawn of humanity.
Matera’s historical timeline is a rare example of human persistence. Its unique urban fabric has been shaped by various civilizations:
Prehistoric Origins: Human presence in the limestone caves of the Murgia Plateau dates back to the Paleolithic era.
Byzantine and Medieval Influence: During the Middle Ages, Matera became a vital center for Byzantine monasticism, resulting in the creation of over 150 rock-hewn churches (Chiese Rupestri).
Successive Rulers: The city’s architecture reflects the passage of the Normans, Swabians, and Aragonese, who integrated fortified structures with the existing cave dwellings.
The ancient heart of the city is divided into two main districts carved into the calcarenite cliffs overlooking the Gravina canyon:
Sasso Barisano: Known for its more sculpted facades and traditional artisan shops.
Sasso Caveoso: The most authentic area, where cave dwellings remain largely in their original rock-cut form.
The Rock Churches: Must-see sites like the Crypt of the Original Sin feature stunning Byzantine frescoes, earning the city the title "The Jerusalem of the West."
Because of its timeless, biblical appearance, Matera has become one of the world's premier filming locations. Its limestone alleys have starred in numerous cinematic masterpieces, including:
The Passion of the Christ (Mel Gibson)
Ben-Hur (2016 remake)
No Time to Die (James Bond 007)
Wonder Woman (Themyscira scenes)
Once known as the "shame of Italy" in the 1950s due to poverty, Matera underwent a miraculous transformation to become the European Capital of Culture in 2019. Today, the Sassi house luxury cave hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, and contemporary art galleries, making it a top destination for experiential tourism in Italy.