There are places you arrive at and feel as if you're stepping into a painting—only the reality often impresses much more than any professional photograph. Matera is undoubtedly one of those breathtaking places that far exceeds expectations. That’s because Matera is more than just a destination; it’s a journey through time, deep into the heart of history.
The city of Matera, located in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, is considered the oldest city in Europe and the third oldest in the world, after Aleppo and Jericho, boasting a history of over 10,000 years. You can feel this history in every cobblestone from the very first step you take here. As you pull your medium-sized suitcase along the cobbled streets of Matera, your first thought is that it resembles nothing you've seen before. It feels like you’ve entered another world, one from long ago, that you never believed existed.
Matera has, as expected, an impressive cultural and historical heritage that reaches its peak through the famous complex of cave dwellings known as the Sassi di Matera. These stone dwellings, some dating back to the Paleolithic era, represent a unique landscape that has made Matera a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s fascinating to think about how people have lived here for millennia, adapting and transforming this natural landscape into a true masterpiece, as you settle into your chosen accommodation for this journey: one of these cave dwellings, a reminder of an experience that was once the norm for the people of this settlement but is now equipped with all the necessities of modern living.
The experience of visiting Matera is simply unique. I know many places are said to have this quality, but I assure you it’s not an exaggerated statement. From staying in an ancient cave that is completely unconventional yet provides all the comfort you need, to strolling through the narrow, cobbled alleyways, every corner of Matera reveals a piece of history. It feels like a labyrinth that you explore with patience and curiosity, captivating you with every step you take.
But while the scorching midday sun is soothed with a good meal and a cool falaghina, the warm afternoon sun leads you to one of the terraces where you can view the entire city from above, and you find yourself climbing cobbled paths, accompanied by the sound of ringing bells, until you reach the top. There, the view leaves you speechless, as you witness—probably—the most spectacular sunset you’ve ever seen (and you’ve seen a few). A golden sunset that, once again, is unlike any other you’ve ever watched.
However, although you wish to remain lost in this landscape, evening comes, and with it, dinner time. It is then when you discover that, alongside its historical and architectural beauty, Matera has something more to offer: slow food restaurants, traditional dishes, fresh ingredients, meals that you enjoy enthusiastically because, of course, you can't leave Matera without trying some local delights. Orecchiette, the pasta I first encountered in Puglia, is, of course, present here in the neighboring region—prepared slightly differently, but just as delightful (after all, it’s Italy). The dessert, a pastry with a specific cream from the region, elicits smiles when you learn it’s called sporcamuss—loosely translated as "dirty mouth," suggesting that it’s not something to be eaten delicately.
To complete the picture, the region is also known for its wines, which perfectly complement the entire experience. Satisfied and content, you then return to your cave, walking the same cobbled streets you came in on, now appearing to belong to another world under the night’s light.
Comentários