Matera

Matera's ancient cave districts, the Sassi di Matera, form one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on earth, carved into two ravines on the edge of the Murge plateau. The Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano are dense networks of rock-cut houses, churches, and cisterns that descend in terraced layers toward the gravina gorge. The opposite canyon wall, studded with more ancient cave churches, provides a dramatic natural backdrop visible from the belvedere on Via Buozzi.