Piazza Vittorio Veneto (Vittorio Veneto Square), Matera
In 1918, the Austro-Hungarian army was defeated; they lost a battle. It was in the region of Veneto, near a town named King Vittorio Emanuele II. Afterward, the location was named Vittorio Veneto. Soon, many places were called Vittorio Veneto, even the Plebiscite Square (Piazza Del Plebiscito) in the southern city of Matera.
The Vittorio Veneto Square was originally Fontana Square for the fountain, restored in 1832 by King Ferdinando II. It was later called Plebiscite Square in favor of the Plebiscite of Rome in 1870. The spacious square overlooks the Annunziata Palace (Palazzo dell'Annunziata) and the Church of San Domenico.
The unique attraction of the square is the terrace with three round arches named Luigi Guerricchio Belvedere for the artist of Matera, Luigi Guerricchio. It is a portico with commanding city views, especially the Cathedral Basilica, Maria Santissima della Bruna. But the most remarkable attraction of the square is what lies under it.
Under the square are the old snow storage rooms, the Palombaro Lungo reservoir, and a tower once attached to the rear wall of Tramontano Castle. The Palombaro Lungo is an enormous cistern and part of the water collection system that feeds the fountain of King Ferdinand and once supplied the entire city with water.
Vittorio Veneto Square is an open-air venue for markets; and a popular meeting place for locals. The surrounding buildings trace the artistic heritage of city architecture through different periods.
The Vittorio Veneto Square was originally Fontana Square for the fountain, restored in 1832 by King Ferdinando II. It was later called Plebiscite Square in favor of the Plebiscite of Rome in 1870. The spacious square overlooks the Annunziata Palace (Palazzo dell'Annunziata) and the Church of San Domenico.
The unique attraction of the square is the terrace with three round arches named Luigi Guerricchio Belvedere for the artist of Matera, Luigi Guerricchio. It is a portico with commanding city views, especially the Cathedral Basilica, Maria Santissima della Bruna. But the most remarkable attraction of the square is what lies under it.
Under the square are the old snow storage rooms, the Palombaro Lungo reservoir, and a tower once attached to the rear wall of Tramontano Castle. The Palombaro Lungo is an enormous cistern and part of the water collection system that feeds the fountain of King Ferdinand and once supplied the entire city with water.
Vittorio Veneto Square is an open-air venue for markets; and a popular meeting place for locals. The surrounding buildings trace the artistic heritage of city architecture through different periods.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Matera. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Piazza Vittorio Veneto (Vittorio Veneto Square) on Map
Sight Name: Piazza Vittorio Veneto (Vittorio Veneto Square)
Sight Location: Matera, Italy (See walking tours in Matera)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Matera, Italy (See walking tours in Matera)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Matera, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Matera
Creating your own self-guided walk in Matera is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Matera Introduction Walking Tour
Architectural historian Anne Parmly Toxey said the cave areas of Matera had been occupied for at least 3,000 years. There have been settlements in Matera since the Paleolithic era.
The town itself was founded in 251 BC by Roman consul Lucius Caecilius Metellus. He called it Matheola. Subsequently, the town was occupied by Longobards, Byzantines, Saracens, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The town itself was founded in 251 BC by Roman consul Lucius Caecilius Metellus. He called it Matheola. Subsequently, the town was occupied by Longobards, Byzantines, Saracens, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Matera's Ancient Cave Churches
Within the old city of Matera, there are more than 160 churches. Many of these are actually carved into the soft limestone cliffs lining the Gravina River. There are even some used for pagan rituals. The churches were carved from existing caves and tunnels. More than a few sanctified cave churches have been converted to storage and homes.
A good example to start with is the St. Anthony... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
A good example to start with is the St. Anthony... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles