The Sassi di Matera are two districts (Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano) of the Italian city of Matera, Basilicata, well-known for their ancient cave dwellings inhabited since the Paleolithic period. The "Sassi" have been described by Fodor's as "one of …

Oct 22, 2024 · Have you ever wondered about the lost cave houses of Matera? Tucked away in southern Italy, Matera boasts ancient dwellings carved into limestone cliffs. These homes, known as "Sassi," date back thousands of years. Walking …

Oct 19, 2021 · See how people once lived in Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, a reconstruction of a typical 18th-century cave dwelling, and find the Museum of Contemporary Sculpture in an atmospheric 16th-century cave palazzo.

The museum looks exactly like Matera houses did 50 or 500 years ago. A one-bedroom earth cave with fireplace, washstand, agricultural tools, kitchen department, a cradle over the double bed, childrens’ beds in all chest drawers and “room for a pony” in a very real sense.

In the southern Italian town of Matera, I followed a sinuous laneway down into a haunting district known as the Sassi (Italian for the “stones”), where some 1,500 cave dwellings honeycomb the...

Sep 11, 2023 · One of the defining features of Matera is its unique cave dwellings, called Sassi. These dwellings were carved into the soft limestone and served as homes for the local population for centuries. The Sassi were a result of Matera’s strategic location, providing natural protection and …

Oct 22, 2019 · There are several rupestrian churches open to the public, a reproduction of a typical cave house that you can visit, and refurbished caves made into hotels and restaurants. The sassi districts are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jan 12, 2025 · The cave homes in Matera vary from untouched sites to luxurious places to stay. For instance, the Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel and Spa offers 35 rooms made in limestone, combining comfort with history. Still, there are caves that …

The Cave House of Vicinato is another interesting building to visit, a cave that was used as a dwelling, as well as the Cave House of Vico Solitario, all must-see stops for those who want to discover the beauty of Sasso Caveoso.

Apr 10, 2024 · Matera’s humble homes and churches carved into rocky cliffs contrast with the colossal statues and gilded domes at so many other Italian sites. In terms of history and curiosity, however, they make one of the country’s richest troves.