The italyn city of Matera, which is listed on the UNESCO list, has developed remarkably four years ago when it was announced that it will be the European Capital of Culture for 2019.This unique city is considered one of the most beautiful non-traditional tourist destinations in the southern Basilicata region, which is famous for being the land of beautiful subterranean wonders.
It is famous for its winding Sassi area and its carved caves in the stunning limestone slopes which is the third longest inhabited human settlement in 7000 years.
The city’s renaissance started in the 1990s when it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and since then it has invested in its cultural heritage, restored old houses and churches, and has opened many elegant hotels with vaulted cave rooms and restaurants open to taste delicious local food.
Matera is characterized by uncommon natural terrains where olive trees grow in bright orange plains, and the old city is divided into two parts: Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso, separated by a group of picturesque hills on which the historic and elegant Duomo Cathedral is located.
The historic “Casa-Grotta di Vico Solitario” is located on “Via Buozzi” Street, and provides visitors with a glimpse into the wonderful life in the ancient city of Matera. The hotel is closer to a museum because of its historical status, old furniture, exquisite craftsmanship, rooms and tools that were used in ancient centuries. .
The city contains many holy sites where the ancient cathedrals abound, including Chiesa di Madonna delle Virtù and Chiesa di San Nicola del Greci, a monastic complex consisting of dozens of caves spread over Two floors were built in the tenth century and later restored in the seventeenth century, in addition to the church that was used by the Benedictine monks from Palestine.
The Multimedia Museum provides a glimpse into the history of the city in three rooms inside a family house from the sixteenth century donated to the city, and presentations that span about 25 minutes revolve around the amazing and sometimes painful social history of the residents of the region. On the other hand, the Museum of Contemporary Sculpture contains ancient italyn murals that decorate the ceilings of caves and dates back to the eighth century AD, as well as displays the history of italyn art from the late nineteenth century to the present day.
Hotels provide a unique experience where the accommodations are located inside the ancient rupee caves, and some rooms have been carved into the rocks, as they contain pools inside the caves and health centers, the most famous of which is the Basiliani Hotel located near the church of Santa Lucia and has charming views of the caves that return To prehistoric times in the archaeological park “Chiese Rupestri”, it features stone facades on the outside and rooms with contemporary designs on the inside.
