One Day in Matera, Matera, Italy

Matera, or more commonly known as the city of Sassi, is one of the most unique destinations you can visit this year. It’s this unseen mixture of beauty, culture, charming landscapes and history that goes way…way back. After all, there is no doubt why this city has become such an inspiration to big movies like The Passion of the Christ.

Matera is actually the third oldest inhabited city in the world - but it’s no surprise that it is unheard of. The city is famous for the houses that are carved into the cliffs.What once were the shame of Italy have now become the reason the city has been chosen as the 2019 European Capital of Culture - and it’s the perfect ode to how unchanged and unaffected (in the best way possible) the city has stayed.

Life in Matera went on around the timeless settlements - and it effortlessly mingled charming flora and fauna, gorgeous churches, and nature. This is the city to go to if you want to explore hidden treasures, walk around ancient streets, stay at a hotel carved into the rock, and learn all about the ancient history that makes this place what it is today.

The first thing you’ll hear when it comes to Matera is the “Sassi”. This UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s the center of the city that is a labyrinth of history on its own. The labyrinth is a mixture of caves turned into houses, stone churches, gardens, terraces and much more. Make sure you explore the two different districts - Sasso Barisano and Sasso Cavoso. The first is where you’ll find the shops and restaurants, while the second is where you go for actual history that is preserved from the Paleolithic era! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).