Considered one the oldest cities in the world, Matera jealously guards thousands years of history that are reflected in the evidence of human settlements dating back to the Paleolithic and uninterrupted to the present day.
Its “Sassi” represent the 6th site in Italy in chronological order, the first in the south.

Recognized as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, the city was elected as the European Capital of the Culture in 2019.
Of course it is one of the most important rock centers in Europe, and retains a great heritage of culture and traditions, which you can find in the many museums and exhibitions in the heart of the city; Matera is so important to be chosen by some very famous Hollywood directors as the protagonist of their movies.

Matera has a particularly complex and fascinating history: from a border city to a land of contrasts, it becomes a fusion of different landscapes, civilizations and cultures; from Paleolithic civilization to the Byzantines, from the Normans to the Baroque age, each era has left its mark on this incredible city.
The “Sassi” tell of man’s ability to adapt to the terrain around him. Born as a settlement in the Paleolithic, soon the “first men” saw in the tuff rock the possibility to create caves that protected them from the weather.
The city of Matera exudes history and culture, it is impossible not to be dazzled by the evident evolution of a landscape that has led the human being from what he was, to how he is today.