THE WONDER OF MATERA:

'Anyone who sees Matera cannot fail to be struck by how expressive and touching its aching beauty is'.

Carlo Levi

Matera, the capital of Basilicata, has always made tourists and non-tourists alike dream of its breathtaking territory. Its stone beauty collected through time and history hides many small curiosities that are interesting to know when wandering through the alleys of this Italian wonder.

• THE STONES OF MATERA

The prehistoric stone from which one of the oldest cities in the world was carved was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Long before the stone, however, the area was completely submerged by water, which is why, on the walk to the cathedral, you can see real shells inside the stone walls, a beautiful testimony to the past and the origins of Matera.

• IT WAS CALLED THE SHAME OF ITALY

For a brief period in its history, Matera was nicknamed 'The Shame of Italy' because of the state of poverty and poor hygiene in which the majority of its inhabitants lived. The population, around the end of the 19th century, found itself having to live with a world ready for progress and what was beginning to be the technological turn of daily life. Unfortunately, due to Matera's structure, completely built in stone, the town found itself having to do without revolutions as its construction was definitely not up to the technologies adopted by other places.

• THE BREAD OF MATERA 

In Matera's past, we find a very interesting tradition. Especially in the poorest families, bread dough was prepared in the homes and taken to be baked in the town's public ovens. Everyone then used a stamp to recognise their loaf, imprinting the initials of the head of the family or simple symbols so that even those unable to read could recognise their own. In addition, each stamp had a decorative symbol that typically represented lucky or religious icons or the city's coat of arms.

But bread is not the only reason why stamps could be used. According to local tradition, the stamp was also given to women as a wedding gift. Even today, one can still buy these stamps in historic shops, customising them to one's liking, a beautiful souvenir of such an enchanting city.

Don't forget to taste the delicious Matera bread, we are sure you will want to take some home with you!

• THE MADONNA OF THE BRUNETTE

If you happen to be in Matera around 2 July, you must attend the feast of the Madonna della Bruna. Mark the date on your calendar because you don't want to miss it!

To celebrate this event, also known as the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a cart is prepared and then pulled by mules or horses to travel all the way through the city to the cathedral. At the end of its journey, the cart is attacked by the population. It is a tradition that everyone takes a piece of the cart home as a sign of good luck.

Any time of the year is good to visit Matera. What are you waiting for? Discover our cooking lessons in a cave or the stay in a cave hotel.