Matera is a small treasure chest full of riches, jewels of inestimable value that are worth discovering as soon as you arrive. Inhabited since the Palaeolithic era, the European Capital of Culture for 2019 winds its way through the Sassi, where the historic centre is concentrated and which, especially in winter, resembles a small, magical nativity scene. The most important attractions are the Rupestrian Churches built into the tuff stone, such as San Pietro Barisano, the largest, Santa Lucia alle Malve, an ancient Benedictine monastery, and the Convicinio di Sant’Antonio, a complex of four places of worship.
One of its landmarks is undoubtedly the Crypt of Original Sin, a few kilometres from the Sassi. Described by many as ‘the Sistine Chapel of rock art‘, it contains Longobard-Benedictine style frescoes symbolising various saints and, of course, the representation of the Original Sin. Inside the beautiful Palazzo Pomarici, you can visit the MUSMA, a museum dedicated to contemporary sculpture with hundreds of works on display, including engravings, ceramics and medals, donated to the Zétema Foundation by gallery owners and artists from the late 19th century to the present day.
Below you will find the main attractions of Matera!