Sassi - old town of Matera

A full-on day started with a visit to Basilica Cathedrale & museum. Unbelievable wealth and grandeur created while the peasant people were living in poverty.
We then visited Santa Maria de Idris - a church built into a rock at the highest part of Sassi with magnificent views of Sassi.
We then saw two more cave churches dating back to the 13th century. Sadly no photos allowed.
Graeme & Tania recommended foccasias from Panificio Paoluccii - famous throughout Matera. We indulged with white wine & fruit for lunch followed by a quick siesta!
Feeling refreshed we visited Palumbo Lungo, dating back to the 16th century - a man made excavation to create a massive 5 million litres cistern to contain water for the people of Matera.
Not finished yet ... We then visited a magnificent stone carving of the entire Sassi township by Eustacio Ricchi completed in 1996 after 3 years of painstaking effort called
'I Sassi in Miniatura'.
The last place we visited was Antica Casa Groto - this is a cave dwelling replica of a typical home used until 1953. Absolutely fascinating. These people were evicted and Sassi was left vacant for 2 decades. In that time many priceless artefacts were removed and/or destroyed. In 1993 Sassi became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It reached 28 here today and was humid. We spent heaps of time climbing up and down steps between the many levels of Sassi - getting lost on a number of occasions. We devoured an Aperol Spritz late in the afternoon and then found a superb shop that sells all sorts of wonderful foods & wine. Another meal of antipasto tonight & Primitivo red wine - superb!
Tomorrow we are having a Cittaslow day (slow) and will visit Sassi at night.Læs mere