Get lost in the quaint 9,000-year-old ancient city in Italy and unique in the world
When it comes to beautiful Italy, people immediately think of the canals and gondolas in Venice, the Colosseum in Rome, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. However, few people know that in the South of this country there is an extremely beautiful ancient city, which keeps the imprint of tens of thousands of years of human life. The city named Matera, known for the houses in the caves (also known as Sassi).
Matera is considered the third oldest city in the world, after Aleppo and Jericho. There are many theories surrounding the name of this city. In it, many say that it comes from a word “mata”, which means: Our rock.
There are many documents about this ancient city that are now stored in museums, such as the Domenico Ridola National Archaeological Museum. Many people believe that the city of Matera is of Greek origin because it has symbols of ancient Greece.
Ancient city with a history of 9,000 years
About 9,000 years ago, a group of Paleolithic settlers built cave houses in Matera. Humans have continuously lived in Matera’s caves since they were first built.
During the first half of the 20th century, many people in Italy considered Matera a “shame”. Because the majority of Matera residents live in poverty. Local shepherds often keep sheep, goats, and chickens in their caves.
Livestock living with humans leads to diseases and pollution. The living conditions were so poor that, in 1950, the authorities had to relocate all of Matera’s population to new places.
After that, the Sassi was abandoned until the 1980s. Ancient beauty lovers and Matera people decided to join hands to renovate the unique stone houses of the old city.
Modern hotels, restaurants and cafes began to spring up in the Sassi – where just a few decades earlier they were deemed unfit for human habitation.
Tourists gradually know and come to Matera…
Strangely beautiful old city
In the process of discovering and renovating the Sassi, people come across many hidden “treasures”, including a number of churches built of hewn stone with impressive murals.
For example, the Crypt of Original Sin has a Byzantine mural. This is considered one of the most impressive rock art murals ever created. If you ever get to visit Matera, ask a local guide to take you on a tour of some of the most striking stone-hewn churches in the area.
Matera seen from above
The cave houses in Matera feature several architectural styles that flourish from different centuries, including vaulted ceilings and winding stone steps. Exploring the interior of the Sassi is like entering a portal that allows you to witness dramatic moments from 9,000 years ago.
For the adventurous, there is a part of Matera called Sasso Caveoso, which has a large number of uninhabited caves.
Sasso Caveoso is strange and a bit dangerous. But it is well worth the trip if you are adventurous and love to explore. Use caution in abandoned areas. When exploring Sasso Caveso, bring a flashlight and don’t venture too far from inhabited areas.
Once stigmatized as a poor, backward place, but Matera has now “changed its skin”, becoming an attractive tourist destination that any tourist wants to set foot in once.
Source: UP
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