Matera, Basilicata

Matera in the Basilicata region was to be our next stop
A few hours drive past acres of harvested wheat crops.
A scorcher of a day reaching temperatures of 39 degrees
Our Spanish farmhouse accommodation didn’t displease.

Such a welcoming oasis set amongst arid fields
Lack of rain resulting in dust & very poor yields.
In the aircon coolness of our room indulged in a nap
Before venturing into Matera armed with google maps.

An ancient city of cave dwellings carved into limestone
Incredulous that people lived in these clustered homes.
Tiny windowless abodes for a family of four or more
The ceiling of one doubles as another home’s floor.

Community respect required allowing general survival
But tempers would flare and suddenly you’re a rival.
The Palombaro Lungo cistern provided water for life
Alongside numerous mosquitoes so disease was rife.

Inhabited until 1950’s when it was declared Italy’s shame
Government had to respond quickly for they were to blame.
Improvements slowly made watched by the media vulture
Until in 2019 it was deservedly named as a city of culture.Read more