Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Matera
Ancient cave houses and rock churches in a ravine.
One of the oldest lived-in places on Earth: two ravines of cave houses and rock churches, the Sassi, stacked up a gorge. Emptied in the 1950s as a national shame, now restored and magical at dusk. Reached by the regional FAL line or bus from Bari.
Places to see
Matera CathedralChurch · A pale Romanesque cathedral on the highest point of the Civita, between the two Sassi,…Free- Santa Maria de IdrisChurch · A church cut into the top of a rocky outcrop, with faded frescoes in a tunnel behind it…≈ A$9
Sant'Agostino viewpointViewpoint · A late-1500s convent on a spur at the edge of Sasso Barisano; the terrace outside looks…Free
When to go
- Jan10° / 2°Often wetQuiet
- Feb11° / 2°Often wetQuiet
- Mar14° / 4°Some rainQuiet
- Apr18° / 7°Some rainBusy
- May23° / 11°Some rainBusy
- Jun28° / 15°Mostly dryBusy
- Jul31° / 18°Mostly dryBusy
- Aug31° / 18°Mostly dryVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Sasso Barisano. The northern cave district, with rock churches and cave hotels.
Sasso Caveoso. The southern cave district under the rock church of Idris; the classic view.
The Piano. The upper town of baroque churches and squares; cheaper beds and the station.
Flying in
Bari (BRI): Shuttle bus, or a train via Bari Centrale and the FAL line, about 1 h 40 min, ≈ A$18.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Matera; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You can walk everywhere. A single ticket is ≈ A$9. The Sassi are steep, stepped and best on foot; wear good shoes. FAL trains and buses run to Bari (check).
Tourist tax
Matera's city tax: usually about €1.50–2.50 a person a night in hostels and B&Bs, more in hotels, for the first nights; under-12s don't pay. Paid at check-in (check).
