Old homes carved into the tuff. A profound ‘canyon’ (gravina) traversed by a creek. Ceilings that transform into floors for residences on the higher tiers. A complex system of narrow streets, giving the feel of strolling through a papier-mâché nativity display.
- Sasso Barisano - The tour starts from Piazza Pascoli, the beautiful square from which you can look out on an amazing panorama; from there a historical, engaging and fictional introduction of the itinerary to be made will be made and then we will cross Via Domenico Ridola, the street dedicated to him, senator and founder of the homonymous National Archaeological Museum.
During the walk, on the left, we come to the Church of Purgatory with the typically Baroque façade, the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi, the second for beauty and importance after the Cathedral of Matera, Church of first impact in Baroque-Lecce style built on an ancient hypogeum crypt dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul and where it seems, according to some historical sources, that in 1218 St. Francis of Assisi passed and stayed some days.
Once you take Via Duomo you stop to admire the breathtaking view on the left that opens onto the Sasso Barisano; Thus we reach “la Civita”, the highest promontory on which dominates since 1270 the Cathedral, a wonderful Romanesque-Apulian structure that unites and divides the two ancient districts of the Sassi that open, like two inverted funnels, at its feet.
Going down the steps of Via Duomo, crossing neighborhoods and following streets that serve as roofs of the houses below curling up on themselves, we reach the bottom of the Sasso Barisano through Via Fiorentini, one of the main roads of the Sassi of Matera. It is named for the alleged presence of textile merchants of Florentine origin who would have had their own shops in this area.
Going back up Via D’Addozio, crossing other winding streets that serve as roofs of ancient dwellings, you come across a large clearing that serves as a churchyard and leads to the rocky church of San Pietro Barisano, which is a perfect example of the typical architectural structure of the Sassi;
Its facade was later built with tuff blocks in the 17th century. Upon entering, one is fascinated by his greatness. The church dates back to the year one thousand and was known as San Pietro in Veteribus.
Under the pavement it is possible to admire a hypogeum complex that served as a “putridarium” or burial place where the monks were deposited seated on seats excavated so that the body could decompose sitting.
Leaving the church, a few meters further the tour continues with a visit to the Cava house, an extraordinary hypogeum environment formerly used as a tuff quarry, today used as an auditorium and conference center thanks to an exceptional restoration work, completely excavated in the rock, heart of Sasso Barisano. A place where you have managed to achieve a perfect harmony between beauty and functionality.
The tour proceeds in the Sasso Caveoso. The Rupe “Del Monterrone”, like a natural crib, dominates the scene; at its feet it is surrounded by numerous caves and cave houses while on the top, as indicated by a wrought iron cross, the cliff is consecrated by the presence of two very ancient places of worship: the two Churches of Madonna dell’Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone completely carved into the rock.
Continue to visit a cave-house typically furnished with objects, furniture and utensils for domestic and everyday use, but also work tools used by farmers in the fields. The place is certainly of great charm and brings the visitor, as a sort of still image, to the atmosphere of the early 1900s or in any case up to the time when these ancient caves were left by their inhabitants in the 1950s following the law reorganization signed by De Gasperi.
The next visit is at “Il Bottegaccio” of the master ceramist and papier-mache Mario Daddiego who, in a very nice and ironic way, will explain the objects that are part of our tradition and popular culture of Matera, which he himself produced, including the characteristic “ cuckoo “.
The journey continues from Via Buozzi to reach our “Altieri Viaggi” headquarters, where in the tasting room you can taste, not before having illustrated them by one of our collaborators, the typical products of our land.
- Entry to a traditional cave house
- Admission to a quarry house
- Sampling of local specialties
- Access to a rock church
- Private transportation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
