Matera is truly unique in Italy and Europe. Its historic, oldest part was carved into the rocks, to which only brick facades were added. In 2008, this district was entered on the UNESCO list.
Sassi di Matera began to take shape in the medieval period. Residents dug their houses in the rocks, securing them with a facade with doors and windows. In this way, people lived here until the middle of the 20th century, often in two unheated, unventilated and without electricity.
After World War II, the Italian authorities began to gradually move residents to houses built below, in the newer part of the city. The Old Town fell into decline and became a kind of slum. It was not until the end of the 20th century that its tourist potential and unique character were noticed. Revitalization and great cleaning have made Sassi di Matera with its walkable rooftops, gardens and intimate squares one of the most important destinations for tourists in southern Italy.
The new part of the city has a completely ordinary character and buildings mainly from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The panorama of Sassi can be admired from the Piazzetta Pascoli viewpoint.
