European Capital of Culture 2019
A recent photograph of Matera shows us a special and unique destination where art, culture and scenic beauty come together perfectly. Proclaimed European Capital of Culture for 2019, it has become famous for the immense charm of the Sassi, a World Heritage Site since 1993 and the first site in southern Italy to achieve this accolade, and the place where the historic centre is concentrated. This enchanting urban core best represents the wise use, over the centuries, of the resources that come only from nature, namely land, water and energy.
Matera was the 2019 European Capital of Culture
Of immense beauty are the Rupestrian Churches carved into the tufa rock and enveloped in a romantic and very atmospheric atmosphere. The most important are the Church of Santa Lucia alle Malve and the Madonna dell’Idris, symbols of how man has managed to be in complete symbiosis with his surroundings. One place of interest not to be missed, if you are planning your holiday in Matera, is the Parco della Murgia Materana, also known as the Regional Archaeological Historical and Natural Park of the Rock Churches, consisting of 20 kilometres of canyons where birdwatching activities are possible. Many are the directors who have chosen the Lucania location as the set for their films. We recall, in fact, Pier Paolo Pasolini with his ‘The Gospel according to St. Matthew’, Mel Gibson with ‘The Passion of the Christ’, Michele Placido with ‘Of Lost Love’ and Giuseppe Tornatore’s ‘Man of the Stars’, to name but a few.
But this ancient village is also famous for the gastronomic delicacies it offers: from the I.G.P.-recognised bread, to the peperoni cruschi, to meat and fish specialities. A simple culinary tradition that knows how to exalt the raw materials and be tasty in all its dishes!
Sassi di Matera have been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1993