Villaggio Saraceno, Archaeological site in Matera, Italy.

Villaggio Saraceno is a rock-cut complex of about seventy caves hollowed into a side valley of the Gravina di Matera, roughly 6 km south-southeast of the city. It shows the early stage of the Sassi's urbanisation: caves opening onto the ravine, with façades and paving created later from spoil of the excavations. Two rock churches, San Luca alla Selva and San Nicola al Saraceno, plus the Cripta del Vitisciulo, later turned into a stable, stand among the caves.

The complex takes its name from the noble Saraceno family, who according to reliable oral tradition owned the land; it has nothing to do with Arab settlement. The seventy caves cut into a side valley of the Gravina di Matera served as shelter for farmers, shepherds and livestock, and many were still used as sheep pens until the last decades of the 20th century.

The name Villaggio Saraceno comes from oral tradition: the land is held to have belonged to the noble Saraceno family. Two rock churches served the community, San Luca alla Selva and San Nicola al Saraceno, plus the Cripta del Vitisciulo, later turned into a stable. Many caves were used as sheep pens until the last decades of the 20th century, and traces of the shepherds remain.

Good footwear is important since the ground is uneven and walking paths wind between the ruins and hillsides. The cooler months are better for visiting since there is little shade and the sun can be intense during peak summer.

The caves were used as sheep pens until the last decades of the 20th century, and traces of the shepherds' presence can still be seen. Among the seventy caves are two rock churches, San Luca alla Selva and San Nicola al Saraceno, plus the Cripta del Vitisciulo, later turned into a stable.