Matera Tuk-Tuk Tour

Cave dwellings, rock churches, and ancient cisterns: experience the charm of Matera's historic center through an engaging and comfortable tuk-tuk tour. Embrace the unique offerings of the 2019 European Capital of Culture in an innovative way!

Matera Tuk-Tuk Tour

Your adventure starts with a meeting at Via Alessandro Volta, where you'll board your tuk-tuk, an exciting way to uncover the historical treasures of Matera. In Italy, this delightful mode of transport is known as an "Ape calessino".

During the tuk-tuk ride, several notable landmarks will be on your itinerary, providing the chance to explore them up close and capture memories with photographs. The first stop is the Church of Purgatory, built in 1747. This intriguing structure is notable for its striking architectural elements related to mortality. Delve into the story behind its façade adorned with skulls and skeletons during your guided exploration!

Just a short five-minute ride from the Church of Purgatory, you'll arrive at Matera Cathedral. This magnificent cathedral, perched on the city's highest elevation, features a 52-meter-tall (170 feet) bell tower that dominates the skyline, with its seven bells echoing across the landscape.

Reboard your tuk-tuk as you venture toward the Church of San Giovanni, then plunge into the captivating neighborhoods of Sasso Barisano and Sasso Cavoso. These areas showcase the extraordinary 'sassi di Matera', the cave homes that have earned a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation since 1993. The rock-carved dwellings and golden-hued streets of the Sassi districts bear a striking resemblance to Jerusalem, making them popular filming locales for films like Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ.

As your immersive 50-minute tuk-tuk tour draws to a close, you will journey toward Piazza San Francesco, completing your experience of this remarkable city.