The “Sassi di Matera”, the Spectacular Palaces of Stone!

Originally shared by Italy Villas

The “Sassi di Matera”, the Spectacular Palaces of Stone!

The stunning city of Matera in Basilicata in Southern Italy is a must-see destination on your Italian travels! The city you see today grew from modest beginnings in a small canyon created over many thousands of years by a small River.

Matera is famous for being one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and is home to its well preserved historical centre called ‘Sassi’.  This ancient area is a series of habitable caves that were carved out of the soft rock by some of Italy’s first human settlers many thousands of years ago.

These carved caves were hewn into a steep ravine leading down to the River Grauna which functioned perfectly as a cliff-side community for a long time. Be sure to walk around this fascinating place and see the beautifully carved Rupestrian style churches that were created here many years ago.  Learn more about this stunning Unesco world heritage place on our blog:  http://www.italy-villas.com/to-italy/2013/must-see-attractions/sassi-di-matera

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#matera   #sassi   #touristdestination  

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