Soon after sunrise in the Sasso Barisano, one of two ancient ‘underground cities’ at Matera, Basilicata, Italy. Caverns cut by Stone Age settlers in the soft limestone were followed by many more troglodyte homes & Christian churches. From states of abject poverty and poor public health, the Sassi di Matera are now regenerated by tourism, with many cave dwellings turned into private homes, hotels, restaurants & holiday apartments. Matera’s economy has thrived due to government support, the award of UNESCO World Heritage Site status and its choice as a European Capital of Culture.
Matera, Basilicata, Italy: early morning sunlight warms façades and arches of restored cave dwellings in the Sasso Barisano, one of two ‘underground cities’ here believed to be among Italy’s earliest human settlements. Caverns were first cut in the easily-worked calcareous limestone lining the Gravina river canyon by Stone Age settlers. Although the earliest caves were later abandoned, more troglodyte homes were cut in the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, together known as the Sassi di Matera, and they were later joined by many rock-hewn Christian churches and chapels. Some caves were inhabited for thousands of years, with many enhanced by conventional façades and roof terraces. The town of Matera was founded in about 250 BC. For most of its history, the Sassi-dwellers co-existed with families living above ground. However, by the 1950s, it had gained an unenviable reputation as Italy’s poorest provincial capital, with many cave dwellers living in abject poverty and unhealthy conditions. Most were forcibly relocated to modern homes elsewhere. Although some caves are still uninhabitable, the Sassi are now regenerated by tourism. Many cave dwellings have been sensitively converted into private homes, hotels, restaurants and holiday apartments. Matera’s economy has thrived thanks to government and European Union support. It was further boosted by the award of UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1993 and in 2019, Matera was a European Capital of Culture. Because the Sassi resemble parts of ancient Jerusalem, many biblical-themed films have been shot here, including Pier Paulo Pasolini’s ‘The Gospel According to St. Matthew’ (1964) and Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ’ (2004). Other films shot in Matera include ‘The Omen’ (2006), ‘Wonder Woman’ (2017) and ‘No Time To Die’ (2020) in which James Bond 007 races his Aston Martin car through the streets.
Size: 4256px × 2832px
Location: Sasso Barisano, Matera, Basilicata, Italy.
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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