Matera, Cave dwellings in Basilicata, Italy
The sassi districts contain thousands of limestone caves carved into steep rock walls along the Gravina river canyon at 401 meters elevation.
Between 1952 and 1970, the government relocated residents from the ancient cave houses due to severe living conditions and widespread disease outbreaks.
The Museum of Contemporary Sculpture displays modern artworks within a 17th-century cave palace, creating a dialogue between ancient architecture and current artistic expressions.
Visitors reach Matera via shuttle buses from Bari Palese airport, located 37 miles away, with regular connections throughout the day.
The multilevel urban structure spans twelve vertical tiers connected by paths and stairways, forming a complete underground settlement system dating back 10,000 years.
Location: province of Matera
Elevation above the sea: 401 m
Website: https://www.comune.mt.it/
Shares border with: Altamura, Ginosa, Grottole, Laterza, Miglionico, Santeramo in Colle, Gravina in Puglia, Montescaglioso
Address: 75100 Matera, Province of Matera, Italy 75100 Matera 75100 Matera
Website: https://comune.mt.it
GPS coordinates: 40.66703,16.60633
Latest update: June 7, 2025 03:36
Matera Cathedral
421 m
Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera
5.6 km
Cave churches in Matera
2.1 km
Riserva naturale orientata "San Giuliano"
9.2 km
Chiesa di Santa Maria di Idris
586 m
Castello Tramontano
348 m
The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera
341 m
Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista
158 m
Castello del Malconsiglio
14.3 km
Palazzo Lanfranchi
571 m
San Francesco d'Assisi (Matera)
308 m
Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo
605 m
Chiesa del Purgatorio
366 m
Convento di Sant'Agostino
470 m
National Museum of Matera
429 m
Palazzo del Sedile
348 m
Chiesa di Santa Lucia alle Malve
666 m
Santuario della Madonna di Picciano
11.8 km
National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art of Basilicata
550 m
Museo della Scultura Contemporanea
510 m
Palazzo Malvinni-Malvezzi
417 m
Villaggio Saraceno
7 km
Conservatorio Egidio Romualdo Duni
348 m
Palazzo dell'Annunziata
57 m
Palazzo Bernardini (Matera)
396 m
Chiesa di San Domenico
43 m
Santuario di Santa Maria della Palomba
1.4 km
Casa Noha
493 mReviews
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