Sasso Caveoso Guided Tour

Sasso Caveoso Guided Tour

In this guided tour of Sasso Caveoso, participants will explore one of the oldest neighborhoods of Sassi di Matera, focusing on the notable cave churches and cave houses that characterize the area.

The meeting point is set for Via Domenico Ridola, 61, where the tour guide will await guests to initiate the visit to this renowned district of Matera.

The tour begins with an introduction to the historical, architectural, and anthropological aspects of Sassi di Matera, including the significance of the term "sassi," which refers to the houses carved into rock in the historic center of the city.

The walk continues to Sasso Caveoso, one of the two main districts of Sassi di Matera. The tour includes visits to the baroque church of San Pietro Caveoso and a Cave House, showcasing the lifestyle of its ancient inhabitants. Participants will learn about the abandonment of these traditional homes in the 1950s due to laws enacted by President De Gasperi. The tour will then proceed to explore the cave churches, rock-hewn temples established between the 10th and 13th centuries.

Additionally, the group will visit Il Bottegaccio, an artisan workshop, to observe the crafting of ceramics and papier-mâché in the traditional Matera style, followed by a tasting of local products.

After a 2-hour exploration of Sasso Caveoso, guests will return to the starting point for farewells.