Natural dwelling: The Sassi of Matera
Would you like to visit an intact settlement of the Neanderthal period?
In the town of Matera, you can find what it is called “Sassi” which are the caves made in the mountains where people live. These rock cut structures have been the settlement of human beings in the Paleolithic period and are still the house of some inhabitants at the city of Matera, an example of how over the years the natural environment has remain unchanged. It is also thought that it is the one of the first human settlements in the whole Italy.
Considered a symbol of poverty until the late 1980s, now the Sassi have become more touristic oriented and even some of them have been turned into hotels like the hotel “Le grotte della civita“. Now, it is also more preserved since it has been considered in 1993 World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Matera was developed by its inhabitants over the centuries in way that is now called “Spontaneous Architecture” due to the way the city conforms to the natural environment while revealing many very sophisticated and elegant styles. This form of architecture strikes the attention of visitors arriving in the city, as it creates a surreal landscape reminiscent of the emotions stirred before certain modern abstract paintings.
But not only the Sassi di Matera are worth a visit in this spectacular area, there, you can find the The Historical and Archaeological Natural Park of the Murgia and the Rupestrian Churches also considered World Heritage by UNESCO.
You can also decide to stay in the Eco resort Marinagri also in the province of Basilicata and immersed in the nature of the Oasi del bosco di Policoro can organise tours to visit the Sassi or the National Park.
Have a look in the video at the caves and the fantastic Rupestrian Churches preserved intact throughout the centuries.
