Italy Matera Travel Magnet

Matera, in southern Italy's Basilicata region, is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. The historic Sassi district is a UNESCO World Heritage site of troglodyte settlements carved into soft limestone ravines and highland plateaus. More than a thousand dwellings, churches and monasteries were hewn from natural caves, and archaeological evidence shows continuous human occupation from the Palaeolithic period. Its ancient cave dwellings and rock cut architecture offer a unique window into early human adaptation and Mediterranean urbanism. Visiting Matera feels like stepping into a film set. The labyrinth of cobbled alleys and cave houses cascades down two natural amphitheatres, creating an evocative panorama that has attracted filmmakers and travellers alike. Matera’s timeless streets have been used in movies such as The Passion of the Christ and The Gospel According to St Matthew, and the city is celebrated for its magical nativity scene. Stroll through the piazzas, take in sweeping views of the ravine, and experience one of the oldest living cities in Europe.