Matera has troglodyte dwellings, called 'Sassi', due to the local geology that allows for easy digging of houses into the limestone formations. These dwellings date back to prehistoric times and have been continuously occupied due to their ability to provide natural shelter and protection against the elements.
Matera is located on a soft limestone plateau called calcarénite, a rock that is easy to carve, making excavation work much simpler. This rock is porous, allowing for good air circulation, which provides the dug-out habitats with natural ventilation that keeps the interiors cool in summer and temperate in winter. The region also features steep and enclosed slopes, ideal for creating terraced or cliff-nested homes. To top it all off, the geological composition of the rock ensures overall stability of the dwellings, minimizing the risk of collapse and guaranteeing their exceptional longevity.
In Matera, the carved dwellings date back very far in time, to Prehistory. The inhabitants began early to carve into the soft rock to take advantage of a natural shelter that was easy to modify. Later, during the Middle Ages, frequent raids and invasions prompted more people to settle in these caves for better defense and effective protection. Over time, these carved habitats, known as the Sassi, multiplied and organized into entire neighborhoods, becoming the vibrant heart of the city. Even after the medieval period, this way of living persisted simply because it remained practical, economical, secure, and well suited to the region's particular climate.
The Sassi are directly carved into the soft rock called soft limestone, which made it easy to shape the cliffs into underground spaces. The inhabitants took advantage of the thickness of the walls to maintain a stable temperature: cool in summer, warm in winter, quiet. The entrance was often oriented to the south or east to maximize sunlight. Inside, the organization of spaces was clever. There were typically rooms aligned with a cistern at the back, also carved out, to collect rainwater. Some homes even had multiple levels, connected by stairs or natural tunnels. Water was directed to internal reservoirs through small channels carved into the rock: a truly ingenious recovery system. These cave-houses were generally grouped and stacked over several levels, making the roof of one often the floor or terrace of another: maximum space optimization. No need for expensive materials, they used what they had on hand: limestone, lime, compacted earth. Simple and effective.
In Matera, people began to dig their homes mainly out of economic necessity. The lack of financial resources pushed many families to use the existing rock directly rather than purchasing expensive materials. In short, digging was much more economical than building from scratch. Then, with the rapid increase in population, there was a need to optimize the available space in the city, so living underground became a practical solution. The more modest inhabitants could thus afford to live in spaces carved into the soft rock, which were easy to expand over time according to the family's needs. This option became an effective response to overpopulation and poverty, even though comfort remained limited: one had a solid roof without significant expense.
Matera and its Sassi are recognized worldwide, to the extent that UNESCO inscribed them as a World Heritage Site in 1993. This means that this place is considered irreplaceable and requires serious measures to preserve it from the wear of time, excessive tourism, and poorly adapted modern interventions. Since this inscription, Italy and the international community have been paying particular attention to Matera by taking actions to preserve the unique identity of the cave dwellings while promoting respectful tourism. The European Union has also intervened by providing significant funding to sustainably rehabilitate the Sassi and improve the living conditions of the residents. Today, Matera has become a successful example of heritage conservation, transforming the cave dwellings from a state of relative neglect to one of the most appreciated tourist and cultural destinations in Italy.
The Sassi of Matera are composed of two main neighboring districts: Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, each exhibiting distinct architectural and urban characteristics.
To ensure effective thermal insulation, the troglodyte dwellings of Matera naturally utilize the surrounding rock, which allows for relatively constant indoor temperatures throughout the year.
In the 1950s, living conditions in the Sassi were so difficult that the Italian government ordered the complete evacuation of the cave dwellings, deeming them unfit for habitation, before their rehabilitation and designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Matera is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with evidence of human occupation dating back around 10,000 years.
Yes, today, following renovation and modernization programs, some families still live in the cave dwellings in Matera. However, most of the Sassi are now dedicated to cultural and heritage tourism.
Indeed, Matera has been chosen as the backdrop for several famous films, including 'The Passion of the Christ' directed by Mel Gibson, as well as 'Wonder Woman' and, more recently, the latest James Bond installment titled 'No Time to Die', thanks to its impressive and well-preserved cave landscapes.
Matera was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 due to its troglodyte dwellings (Sassi), which represent an exceptional example of human settlement in perfect harmony with the natural environment, and bear witness to a millennia-old cultural and historical heritage.
Yes, the troglodytic dwellings of Matera, known as Sassi, can be visited today. Many of these ancient homes have been renovated into museums, guesthouses, restaurants, or hotels, and offer a unique experience of discovering the local heritage.
The residents of the Sassi di Matera developed a complex system for collecting rainwater and storing it in underground cisterns called 'palombari'. These ancient techniques allowed them to access drinking water despite the lack of natural sources in the region.
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