Matera Cultural Sassi Tour

Explore Matera’s ancient rock city with a local guide. Visit underground sites, rock churches, and movie locations. Perfect for history buffs and curious tourists.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Piazza Vittorio Veneto - Vittorio Veneto Square is one of the main squares of Matera, located in the historic center of the city. The square was built in the 19th century during the period of urban renewal of the city. Today, it is an important meeting place and gathering spot for the citizens of Matera, and hosts various commercial and cultural activities.

  • Sasso Barisano - Matera, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, was also the European Capital of Culture 2019: sure will take your breath away. The two Sassi districts, Caveoso and Barisano, dug into the limestone, are unique from an urban planning point of view because of the exceptional nature of their history and bear witness to unique human endeavours, where the combination of the Sassi and the Natural and Archaeological Park of the Rock churches form the perfect symbiosis between the cultural and natural characteristics of a place. Its transcendent universal value derives precisely from this integration between the natural and cultural characteristics of the area: ‘Rioni Sassi’ are a stunning sight, one that is unique in the world.

  • The Rupestrian Church Of San Giorgio - The mediaeval church of San Giorgio, annexed among the properties of the Monastery of the Santissima Annunziata in Matera and desecrated in the first two decades of the 17th century, has undergone considerable alterations that have made it barely recognisable, so a more detailed description of the structure is considered useful.

  • Chiese rupestri Madonna delle Virtu e San Nicola dei Greci - According to some sources, the Church of the Madonna delle Virtù was carved out in the 12th century. Thus, as with all the other rupestrian churches in the area of Matera, the church is noted for its “negative architecture”, making it unique. The uniqueness of this rupestrian church can be seen not only in its well-structured architecture, but also in the later-dated frescoes of the church. San Nicola dei Greci is a crypt especially significant due to the survival of some important frescoes. The Byzantine character of the crypt is confirmed by the 11th – 12th century frescoes on the church’s walls, which are linked to the Byzantine tradition. Among the most important and best preserved are the “triptych” frescoes of St. Nicholas, St. Barbara and St. Pantaleone in the left apse and dating back to the 13th century, and the Crucifixion with the Virgin Mary and St. John the Evangelist, from the 14th century.

What's Included
  • Complete Tour of Sassi area
  • Licensed Guide
  • Exclusive underground site of 500 sqm, dating back to XVI-XVII sec.
  • Visit one rupestrian site, according to host preferences
  • Reduced tickets for admission to rock churches
Additional Information

Discover “Sassi di Matera” on a 2-hour walking tour with a licensed local guide. Explore the ancient rock-hewn city and visit an exclusive underground site. You’ll see the city through the eyes of a historian, who will reveal not only its artistic beauty but also its social, cultural, and political significance. This tour offers a deep dive into the city’s history, internal dynamics, and the global influences that have shaped Matera over the centuries. Our engaging narrative will captivate both young and old, immersing you in our culture. During the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to visit cisterns, rock churches, and cave dwellings, and even walk on movie locations. This continuous journey of discovery is perfect for history enthusiasts and curious tourists who wish to appreciate the place’s beauty and uniqueness beyond its postcard image. The tour is limited to small groups of up to 15 people.

  • Not recommended for people with mobility impairements
Location
Bar Caffè Tripoli
Piazza Vittorio Veneto
This cafè is in the main square Vittorio Veneto of the historical centre city.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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Lorige2494mg
Jul 8, 2024
Unique experience - Very kind , exhaustive and helpful . The tour was beautiful with a fantastic, knowledgeable and professional guide. “Highly recommended!!!”
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rosita_l
Jun 8, 2024
An evening soaking up History of Matera, Italy (a 9,000 year old city) - We had a wonderful tour. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable, and is family also was from Matera. Our tour was so informative about the history of the place and what is happening currently to its inhabitants and those that are from that town. We learned so much. Initially, I had planned to do the panoramic tour in the Tuk Tuks because I didn't know if doing a tour on foot would be too much walking. But our other tour that was the panoramic one got cancelled. So we booked this one at the last minute. Glad we did. We got to do and see much more than we would have if we could only go where the Tuk Tuk cars can take you. Plus our tour guide has so much in-depth history about the area and also was able to share his own family's history of living in Matera for centuries. What an amazing place. So glad that we just didn't try to tour the place on our own without a guide. We would have just been wondering what we were looking at. And not getting the history or where the town has been and where it seems to be heading.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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