Matera, in Italy, is one of the longest inhabited medieval cities around the World — people have been living there since the Neolithic period.
It’s a Unesco World Heritage site that has inspired writers and movie makers and it will also officially become the new European Capital of Culture in 2019.. Matera is the 2nd biggest city in the region of Basilicata, in Italy. It was the first southern Italian city to be added to the list of Unesco Heritage sites, thanks to its Sassi, which still remain the city’s most unique feature.
The Sassi (literally translating to “rocks” in English) are cave dwellings dug into the gorge known as the Gravina di Matera. They form the old town of Matera and have been inhabited since the 8th millennium before the Common Era.Matera has a long history and an equally long list of places to see, from museums to churches to the old water cisterns, built in the rock like the Sassi.
Visitors who plan to really explore the Capital of Culture can buy the Matera Passport for €19, which will allow them to participate in all events held throughout the year.
Matera, in Italy, is one of the longest inhabited medieval cities around the World — people have been living there since the Neolithic period. 
Matera is the 2nd biggest city in the region of Basilicata, in Italy. It was the first southern Italian city to be added to the list of Unesco Heritage sites, thanks to its Sassi, which still remain the city’s most unique feature. 
Matera has a long history and an equally long list of places to see, from museums to churches to the old water cisterns, built in the rock like the Sassi. 
