Basilicata, Matera, Potenza

It seems as though everyone in this region moved into caves, which came to be known as i sassi (stones). You would think Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano (which begin at Piazza V. Veneto) were just typical Italian hilltowns until you realize the "houses" are all windowless grottoes with damp walls and earthen floors, where the family's animals slept side-by-side with the humans.

Far from being uncivilized, these rock towns had intricate hydraulic systems that kept water fresh and cool year round. Eventually the caves gained façades and roofs, but the interiors remained virtually unchanged. Nearly 15,000 people were still living in them in 1952, when the government finally declared them unhealthy and outlawed their use. There are several places where you can visit a typically furnished sasso: the most indicative is probably the one at Vico Solitario 12, in Sasso Caveoso.

Of course, there is more to this town than caves. Do not come to Matera without visiting the Domenico Ridola National Museum, which is located in a splendid former convent (again the product of the Italian State's "liberation" of church property in the south). Faithful readers of In Italy will remember our mentioning the serious fiscal problems encountered by Italian art patrons who wish to give their treasures to the public. Luckily for us, Senator Ridola made his donation in 1911, before today's tax laws had been concocted to thwart philanthropy. The vast collection includes Paleocene, neolithic and Bronze Age finds, as well as pottery and statuary from the 6th to 4th centuries BC.

Matera has much in common with the region of Puglia: Orecchiette (handmade pasta) prepared with fresh tomato or with turnip greens, broccolis, cauliflower or with breadcrumb and sultana. In this province hot pepper is very used called in three different ways: diavulicchiu, frangisello, cerasella.

Another typical dish is the cotto di fichi (cooked figs)a kind of cream made of boiled and dried figs. The dish changes a bit with prickly pears instead of figs. The local Cardoncello mushroom, cooked in different ways and or eaten row with ricotta cheese, lemons and olive oil from Murge of Matera. And then the wheat and chick-peas soup, the cialled a kind of soup with stale bread, eggs, olives, tomatoes and other vegetables, but also some traditional dishes linked to the religious events.

A typical Easter dish of Matera is the cardi with cacio and eggs and the pirc'dduzz (pasta dressed with cooked wine) and a typical Easter dish of Irsina is “fusilli” with fried breadcrumb and cooked figs.

In the Metaponto area fish dishes are very common as “scapece” (fried anchovies marinated with vinegar) and the dried salted cod prepared with peppers.

Lamb and sheep are also very common in this province. Another typical dish is the gnummaridd, special rolls filled with sheep and kids giblets. It's worth to taste also eels with hot pepper, tomatoes, mint and laurel. Typical cheeses are: ricotta cheese, sheep milk cheese and burrata (fresh mozzarella and cream cheese).

Typical desserts are: figs with honey, pasch'nisch, a September dessert prepared with semolina and cooked must; the cuccìa, as in Potenza province, a boiled wheat dessert mixed with chocolate, pomegranate, walnuts and cooked wine.

Typical wines are: Val Bradano, Sangiovese, Moscato, Malvasia, Elixir of walnuts

Commune di Matera - municipality of Matera

• Matera has many natural parks, right places to wander and discover the lush vegetation and the rich local fauna. In all the reserves it's possible to organize trekking trips, cycle trips or horse rides, just to enjoy these special places.
• The wildlife reserves of Bosco Pantano e Policoro are real lush areas for bird-watching and photography lovers. There are many kind of birds as the western marsh-harrier, the cormorant, the waterhen, the white heron, the grey heron and the coleopteran. The Natural Park of Gallipoli - Little Dolomiti Lucane - is reported on the best bird-watching reviews, because it's very easy to see wonderful kites, buzzards, kestrels, peregrine falcon, barn owls, owls and hoot owls, as long as mammals as wild pig, wolf, fox, badger, porcupine, wildcat, hare, hedgehog, dormouse, squirrel, weasel, stone marten and in the river, otter.
• The tortoise of Herman is a little rare turtle with yellow spotted shell that lives very close to the clearing and to the garrigue (in Italian macchia mediterranea). Anyway, Matera is the right place for sea holiday lovers; it has 30 km. of coast on the Ionio sea, not much cement, wide fields and the garrigue close to the big stretches of sand. Policoro, Metaponto and Pisticci are three of the main seaside resorts.
• The area is rich in tourist attractions. The Ionian coastline is famous for its pristine beaches, for its history and artefacts dating back to Magna Grecia and for its wholesome, delicious cuisine.

• Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town, the "Sassi di Matera" (meaning "stones of Matera")
• It's worth a visit to the little rupestrian Church Santa Lucia of the Malve, founded by a Benedictine community around the 8th century, the Church of the Madonna of Idris, leading to the crypt of San giovanni in Monterrone and the four rupestrian churches of the Convicinio of Sant'Antonio.
• In the Sasso Barisano there is the Church of San Pietro Barisano, one of the main church of Matera dug into the rock, the Church of Madonna delle Virtù, included in a very ancient monastery and the Church of S. Agostino built in 1591 in baroque style. The city has also a Cathedral, built in 1268-70 in Romanic style, Palazzo Lanfranchi, symbol of the architectural of 1600 century in the city, and the various museums of the city as the National Archaeological Museum “Domenico Ridola”, the National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art and the MUSMA, Museum of Contemporary Sculpture of Matera.
• In the neighborhood of Matera there is the Archaeological historical and Natural Park of the rupestrian Churches of the Materano, that shows an important historical and archaeological heritage: more than 160 rocky churches, three Neolithic villages (Serra d'Alto, Timmari and Murgia Timone), and many prehistoric tombs.
• In the south-eastern area of Matera there are many beautiful little cities as Montescaglioso, with its wonderful Abbazia of San Michele Arcangelo, Miglionico with its great Castle of Malconsiglio, Bernalda with its 1400-century castle and Tricarico, Grassano, Irsina and Ferrandina all full of monuments to see. Going on to the south, you reach the suggestive Calanchi area, with white clay hills, pinnacles cones and small canyons dug by sun and rain. In this area it's very nice the uninhabited village of Craco with a lot of historical places, the castle and a group of houses on the rocks surrounded by little streets, stairs and little squared.

• The Madonna Della Bruna festival is celebrated every year on the second day of July. This is a celebration of the life of Madonna Della Bruna (the patron of the city), and throughout the day, the town fills with parades and processions, all honoring this important figure to the town’s history. The day ends with an elaborate fireworks show.
• The New Wine and Oil Festival is held in Scanzano Jonico every year in the beginning of November. This is the time of year after the grapes and olives of the local vineyards have been harvested, and the process of making the year’s wines and oil has been started. During this festival, it is possible to sample many wines and olive oils, all made by local inhabitants to the region.
• The Tricarico Carnival is unlike most carnivals held in Italy . Ancient traditions are followed in this town during the festival, which has groups of people dressing up as farmers, bulls, and cows.

Accomodations in close proximity: Hotels, Restorts, Holiday Houses, Condo Rentals, Farm Holidays (Agritourismo),

• A visit to Matera cannot fail to include tasting some of the typical local products. Apart from the famous Materan bread and wines, the city offers simple and plentifull food to be enjoyed in every season. We advise you not to miss the tasty goodness of simple ingredients such as olive oil and cheese such as mozzarella, caciocavallo and pecorino. Also vegetables cooked in many special ways, take pride of place in the delicious cuisine of Matera. Matera has many ancient culinary traditions linked to its history and the local culture. Perhaps the best known dish is La Pignata, a mutton stew cooked in a terracotta pot with vegetables and aromatic seasonings. Equally famous is il Cutturiddu, which consists of mutton cooked in a pan with tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, onion, garlic, oil and a pinch of salt. La Fedda Rossa is a simple slice ofgrilled bread with oil and salt.All of these dishes go very well together with the Matera DOC red wine,with its fruity aroma and harmonious and full-bodied flavour
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Information on Basilicata - Italy

Matera

Matera

Potenza

Potenza