Accommodation in Matera
Apart from Maratea, Matera is the only place in Basilicata where you might have difficulty finding a room for the night – booking a week or so in advance is highly recommended. A lot of new B&Bs and some beautiful hotels have recently opened in the Sassi themselves, which are probably the most atmospheric places to stay – although of course the swish furniture, modern plumbing and decor would be unrecognizable to any former sasso dweller.
Eating and drinking in Matera
Thanks to the surge in tourism, there’s plenty of choice for eating in Matera. In spite of its close proximity to the sea, traditional Materan food is dominated by meat dishes. You’ll find lots of cafés and bars around Piazza San Pietro Caveoso and along Via Buozzi in the Sassi, or in and around Piazza Vittorio and Piazza Sedile in Piano.
The Cripta del Peccato Originale
Some 14km south of Matera in Contrada Petrapenta, the Cripta del Peccato Originale (Crypt of the Original Sin) is lauded as the “Sistine Chapel of cave churches”. Inside, late eighth-century frescoes depict surprisingly dynamic Old Testament scenes, saints and angels on a white background embellished with tendrils of red flowers. Note that you need to book by phone in order to visit; tours last around an hour.
Top image: Scenic view of the "Sassi" district in Matera, in the region of Basilicata, in Southern Italy © Stefano Valeri/Shutterstock