Matera

Matera is a city in the Basilicata region of Southern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Matera and is renowned globally for its ancient cave dwellings known as the Sassi di Matera. The city's extraordinary cultural landscape, which includes the Murgia plateau and the Gravina di Matera ravine, represents one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world. In 1993, the Sassi di Matera were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2019, Matera served as the European Capital of Culture.

History

The area has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic period, with evidence of continuous human settlement. The city is believed to have been founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, though it was likely an earlier Oscan settlement. During the Early Middle Ages, Matera was contested by the Lombards and the Byzantine Empire, becoming part of the Lombard Duchy of Benevento. It later experienced rule under the Holy Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Naples, and the House of Aragon. A period of severe poverty in the mid-20th century led to the forced evacuation of the Sassi di Matera, famously described by Carlo Levi in his book Christ Stopped at Eboli. A major revitalization began in the 1980s, culminating in its UNESCO listing and role as European Capital of Culture.

Geography

Matera is situated in the eastern part of Basilicata, near the border with Apulia. The city's unique topography is defined by the Gravina di Matera, a deep limestone ravine carved by a small river. This ravine divides the territory into two main sections: the ancient city on one side and the Murgia plateau, part of the Parco della Murgia Materana regional park, on the other. The landscape is characterized by karst terrain, caves, and Mediterranean scrubland. The city's altitude and proximity to the Ionian Sea contribute to its climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.

Architecture and the Sassi

The city's most iconic feature is the Sassi di Matera, a complex of cave dwellings and structures carved directly into the calcareous rock. The Sassi (meaning "stones") are divided into two districts: Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, which contain a labyrinth of homes, churches, cisterns, and alleyways. Notable rupestrian churches include the Church of San Pietro Barisano and the Church of Santa Maria de Idris, adorned with Byzantine frescoes. Overlooking the Sassi is the Matera Cathedral, a Romanesque-Apulian Romanesque building from the 13th century. The Palombaro Lungo, a colossal underground cistern, exemplifies the sophisticated ancient water collection system.

Culture and tourism

Matera's cultural significance is profound, serving as a backdrop for numerous films, including Pier Paolo Pasolini's The Gospel According to St. Matthew and Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. The city's main festival is the Festa della Bruna on July 2, featuring a spectacular procession and the destruction of a papier-mâché float. Key museums include the MUSMA (Museum of Contemporary Sculpture) and the National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art of Basilicata located in Palazzo Lanfranchi. Tourism is a major industry, with visitors exploring the Sassi di Matera, the Murgia Materana Park, and participating in events linked to its tenure as European Capital of Culture.

Economy

Historically based on agriculture and pastoralism, Matera's economy has transformed significantly. Today, it is heavily driven by cultural tourism and related services, including hospitality, guided tours, and retail. The city is also a growing center for creative industries, film production, and information technology, bolstered by initiatives from the European Union and the Italian government. Traditional crafts, such as ceramics and textile weaving, persist alongside modern sectors. The surrounding area produces renowned agricultural products like Durum wheat for pasta, extra virgin olive oil, and the Aglianico del Vulture wine.