Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches
![The Sassi originate from a prehistoric troglodyte settlement and are suspected to be among the first human settlements in Italy. There is evidence that people were living here as early as the year 7000 BC.[2]
The Sassi are houses dug into the calcarenitic rock itself, which is characteristic of Basilicata and Apulia, locally called "tufo" although it is not volcanic tuff or tufa. Many of these dwellings are really only caverns, and the streets in some parts of the Sassi often run on top of other houses. The ancient town grew up on one slope of the ravine created by a river that is now a small stream. The ravine is known locally as "la Gravina".
In the 1950s, the government of Italy forcefully relocated most of the population of the Sassi to areas of the developing modern city. Riddled with malaria, the unhealthy living conditions were considered an affront to the new Italian Republic of Alcide De Gasperi.[3] However, people continued to live in the Sassi, and according to the English Fodor's guide[when?]:
Matera is the only place in the world where people can boast to be still living in the same houses of their ancestors of 9,000 years ago.
Until the late 1980s this was considered an area of poverty, since many of these houses were, and in some cases still are, uninhabitable. Current local administration, however, has become more tourism-oriented, and it has promoted the regeneration of the Sassi with the aid of the European Union, the government, UNESCO, and Hollywood. Today there are many thriving businesses, pubs, and hotels there, as described in a May 2015 New Yorker magazine article.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/602067/ee8b639e-9537-4eee-bb69-84b65431a70c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)
Lodging Near Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches
Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita
Via Civita 28 Matera MT
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$696 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
NZ$696
19 Mar - 20 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Matera. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches ...
Amazing experience and we could feel the passion and care of the hotel.
Reviewed on 4 Jan 2026
Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & SPA
Via Conche Matera MT
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$451 per night from 23 Mar to 24 Mar
NZ$451
23 Mar - 24 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Matera. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
Incredible spa facilities and well situated location.
Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026
Locanda di San Martino Hotel & Termae Romanae
Via Fiorentini 71 Matera MT
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$202 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
NZ$202
17 Mar - 18 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Matera. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
This was an excellent choice. Spa was cool, breakfast great. Central location in the cave area. My only concern was I contacted them through Expedia and got no response. It says to contact about where to park. They never responded. I figured it out with Chat GTP but Hope hotels would check their ...
Reviewed on 13 Mar 2026
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