Matera

Matera is another very interesting and unusual place to visit in Italy and like the rest of this area undiscovered by tourists. It was about a one and a half hour drive and just outside of the Puglia district.

A local guide had been arranged for us and she walked us through the 2 districts which was all so interesting but also about 36deg. Heat coming off stone in every direction.

Matera is famous for its extensive cave dwelling districts and is divided into 2 districts.

The first is the area called Sasso Barisano made from a porous tufa lime stone which had once been under the sea before being used to build these dwellings.

There are many churches cut into rock and hillsides  created by the Basilian monks.Top right is one of the churches cut into rock.

 The 2nd district was called Sasso Caveoso where the cave dwellings had lived for many centuries. The cave we visited had been lived in right up until 1956.....not very long ago. Their animals were also housed inside with the family, a donkey in the corner, chickens under the bed and a family of 11 all in this small space. No electricity, water or sewerage.

The families that lived here were the poorest local peasants.

A new town was built and they were forced by law,due to malaria and disease, to leave their caves which they were reluctant to do.

In 1980 the wealthy began to move in renovating the cave houses. So now there are a few B&Bs a small number of hotels but only one road that serves this area. In 1993 this area was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After our fascinating 2hr tour we all found a cave restaurant to cool off and refuel then off back to the pool.