Matera, Basilicata, at the “instep” of the “the boot” of Italy. It’s been on my list for several years since I saw an article and my jaw dropped. Now, having visited, I’m still agog and without sufficient words.
Ten-thousand-year-old caves, carved into the rock and fortified with further building blocks, have yielded a natural, curving amphitheater full of stacked buildings, stairways, small courtyards and rabbit warren-like paths that are now polished smooth by the millennia of feet trudging over them. Few homes have address numbers, few paths have names. How does one navigate? Our BnB owner sent us a video showing our path, step-by-step.
My friend David muses that the architect must have been M.C. Escher. Certainly, there could have been no other. How do they manage public utilities, such as water, sewer and electricity? How is it possible that there is WIFI in updated, 10,000-year-old cave dwellings? How do the restaurants receive deliveries of food and fresh linens? The whole place is an incredible marvel.
(Click on any photo to enlarge it, and then you can progress through the series of photos.)
The evening sun illuminates Matera.
Find your way around the maze of Matera’s “Sassi”.
Just try to find your way in Matera!
Are there addresses in the “Sassi” of Matera?
Matera’s many layers, up and down the cliffside.
Matera’s paving in a former grotto church.
Matera, illuminated in the afternoon.
Matera, built upon and into the rocky cliffs.
Matera’s adjoining, cave-pocked cliffs.
This Matera restaurant has 5 subterranean levels.
High Matera balconies from which to watch the sunset light cast a glow.
Glossy worn paths in Matera, have insets for bikes and carts.
Matera’s stack of every-which-way buildings.
Matera, as the lights come on.
Matera’s Chiesa di San Rocco.
