The Sassi of Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in which many movies were filmed including No Time To Die James Bond. Houses and churches are uniquely sculpted in the calcerous rocks and it harbours many natural caves. It's good to see a miniature of the village and a reconstitution of an old house depicting how inhabitants used to live, and roam around in the streets to enjoy the all beige constructions.

Be prepared for lots of elevation changes and steps. It is strenuous to visit, but the reward is beautiful views and lovely baroque churches. The city changes character in the evening when the day trippers are gone and the streets a deserted. Many of the buildings are illuminated, giving it a beautiful yellow glow. Matera developed from a prehistoric troglodyte settlement. Evidence suggests people have been living here since 7000 BC., making it one of the oldest settlements in Italy. Matera is the only place in the world where people can boast that they are living in the same houses as their ancestors of 9,000 years ago.

Wooow, what an amazing town - the absolute highlight of our Italian heel week long tour. Matera is considered one of the oldest settlements in Europe. Cave dwellings around the old town date back to thousands BC. Later people learned that instead of digging the limestone and living in caves, they can use it for building houses. In 1950's the town was proclaimed 'Shame of Italy' as people were living in unhygienic conditions without electricity, water and all together with their animals in tiny houses, and were ordered to abandon the city. Today, Matera is a UNESCO heritage site and was even Europe's Culture Capital - a real must see town.

As I've said when reviewing other wonders of the world, a review of Matera is practically useless. This town speaks for itself and does not need yet another fan shouting to the rooftops how amazing it is. But shout I must. I'm glad my family and I gave Matera a day and a half. This isn't a place you do on a tight itinerary - it's meant to be wandered through. With that said, here are the sites in Matera we saw and highly recommend: The cisterns (a quick stop; they have odd hours, so check ahead of time) Cattedrale di Maria Santissima della Bruna e Sant'Eustachio (as seen in "No Time to Die) Belvedere Murgia Timone (viewpoint overlooking Matera)

Matera is a wonderful city, we had a beautiful experience. Thanks to our guide Liborio that help us to discover the city in a different way. He’s a professional guide but not a commercial one. Trust us for a good experience contact him: 320/7274859

We thoroughly enjoyed an excellent walking tour with Saverio, from SASSI tourism, of the old area of SASSI. Stunning views, fascinating history and Saverio’s knowledge, being a local, brought this area to life. Matera is really beautiful; lovely people, great food and a very different landscape.

Once dubbed the "shame of Italy’ for its caves that housed the city’s poor, it has seen a miraculous revival to become one of the most extraordinary places to visit not just in Italy but the world. The Sassi di Matera are actually two districts (Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano) roughly separated by the catehdral, and both merit a careful and slow paced exploration. (we had a detailed map provided by our host). Every nook and cranny is a delight, and every turn presents a photo-op. I'd recommends staying a few nights (we spent three) to really absorb it all, and relish Matera by night and early hours of morning when nobody is around.

This historic centre is a unique complex, the quarter of cave dwellings. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. I think it’s a must see site if you are in Puglia. It’s one of the oldest settlement of Italy, people lived in these caves already in prehistoric times. It’s an incredible cave-city, we enjoyed walking there and admired the breathtaking view. You need comfty shoes. We will return and stay at least one night in this fabulous place.

Matera, Italy is one of the oldest towns in the world and has been inhabited continuously for over 7,0000 years. As one of the most spectacular Italian cities, it’s located on the edge of a ravine and is divided into two districts (Sasso Caveoso – South and Sasso Barisano – North). Sasso Caveoso reminded me of Cappadocia where we stayed in a boutique cave hotel. The original buildings were hewn into limestone rock. The newer district was built from quarried stones. The crooked streets are easy to navigate on foot as they form a maze. We got lost countless times as we wandered through stone archways and the labyrinth of lanes and dead ends, but that was the fun of it as we asked the locals for directions. Usually, it was a child who guided us out of our dilemma. It was a fun day.

It has a character all its own, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is well worth a visit, ideally to stay a couple of nights on one of the many cave dwellings. Now rather comfortable and will all mod-cons, unlike when the impoverished population were forcibly re-housed elsewhere in 1952. There really isn’t anywhere else quite like it. You may have seen it in The Passion of the Christ (masquerading as Jerusalem), or in James Bond’s Die Another Day. But do try to experience it for yourself. It is great to wander around the old town (or the newer streets and Piazzas at the top of the hills), find great street cafes and restaurants, but do book an expert guided tour too, showing you around the sights and the old cave churches etc. Not to be missed.