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First settlements - Settlement in Matera dates back to around 10,000 years ago (Paleolithic period).

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Etymology - One hypothesis about the uncertain origin of the city's name is linked to the Greek word 'meteoron' (starry sky), because of the ancient custom of inhabitants placing light sources at the entrances of their houses.

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Matera insurrection - Matera was the first southern Italian city to rise up against the Nazi occupation on September 21, 1943, with 26 people losing their lives.

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The Stone City - Matera was dug into tuff, an easily workable magmatic rock.

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Sassi of Matera - The expression 'Sassi' indicates the center of Matera, which includes the two districts of Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso.

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Canyon city - The city lies in a small canyon carved out by the Gravina river.

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UNESCO - Since 1993, Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Nature - UNESCO recognized, among other things, the perfect harmony between the architecture and the natural landscape that surrounds the city.

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Matera Cathedral - Don't miss the Madonna della Bruna and Sant'Eustachio Cathedral, built in the Romanesque style.

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Matera Cathedral - The interior has undergone several transformations over time, developing a Baroque appearance.

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Church of Santa Maria di Idris - One of the most fascinating cave churches anywhere: visiting it is like literally entering a rock.

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Church of Santa Maria di Idris - This marvelous place of worship was erected in the 12th century and is connected to an evocative frescoed crypt, built in the same period.

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Church of San Pietro Caveoso - Going down the steps of the Church of Santa Maria di Idris, there is a second place of worship, the Church of San Pietro Caveoso, whose interior is characterized by a spectacular tuff aisle.

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Cave churches - Matera is unique thanks to its amazing cave churches.

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Church interiors - Some cave churches house unbelievable Byzantine frescoes.

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Cave churches - Most of these churches date back to the High Middle Ages, but they were converted to other uses over time, such as shelters for animals.

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Grotte della Civita - These cave houses date back to prehistoric times. Some of them are luxury hotels now, with breathtaking views over Murgia National Park.

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Home interiors - You can visit some reconstructions of former peasant houses.

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Back in time - Walking through the wonderful streets of the city will bring you back in time. Yet Matera has not always enjoyed good reputation.

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"National shame" - In the '50s, due to poverty and the overcrowding of the city, inhabitants lived in caves in precarious conditions, without an adequate sewage system and sharing the space with farm animals.

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"National shame" - Palmiro Togliatti, a late Italian political leader, referred to the Sassi of Matera as a "national shame," while statesman Alcide de Gasperi decreed the traumatic displacement of its inhabitants in 1950.

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Matera and the cinema -

One thing Matera has been great for is being used as the set for movies based in ancient times.

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Matera and the cinema - There have been many filmmakers who have chosen the city as the location to shoot their films.

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'The Passion of the Christ' - Mel Gibson shot 'The Passion of the Christ' (2004) in Matera.

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'The Passion of the Christ' - Pictured is Mel Gibson on set, in Matera, giving instructions to the cast.

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'Ben-Hur' - Director Timur Bekmambetov chose Matera to set the latest version of 'Ben-Hur' (2016).

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'The Gospel According to St. Matthew' - The great Italian director and intellectual Pier Paolo Pasolini chose the Sassi of Matera to represent Jerusalem in his 1964 film.

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The 2019 European Capital of Culture - The recovery process of the city resulted in the selection of Matera as the European Capital of Culture for 2019.

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The 2019 European Capital of Culture -

This title brought with it a lot of funding, which is being used to improve the city's facilities.

See also: Rijeka and Galway share European Capital of Culture 2020 status

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