Matera Private Tour: Discover the Sassi and rock-hewn wonders
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
The guided tour in Matera is dedicated to discovering its Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest rock-hewn centres in the world. The tour begins in Piazza Vittorio Veneto with views over the Sasso Caveoso and the Murgia plateau, then continues past the Palazzo Lanfranchi and the nearby Church of the Carmine, an elegant example of Baroque architecture. The route continues into the heart of the Sasso Caveoso to the Church of St.Pietro Caveoso, perched above the ravine and remarkable rock churches such as the Church of St.Lucia delle Malve and the Church of St.Maria de Idris, carved into the rock and rich in history. You then walk through the characteristic narrow streets of the Sassi, among cave dwellings and panoramic views over the spectacular Gravina of Matera which makes the landscape unique. tour ends with a visit to the Cathedral of St.Maria della Bruna and St.Eustachio, featuring an impressive Apulian-Romanesque façade and decorated sacred interiors
Inclusions
What's included
- Discover stories about the films that were shot in the Sassi of Matera
- Discover the Sasso Caveoso and the Church of Saint Pietro Caveoso
- Be captivated by the panoramic viewpoints and the spectacular view over the Gravina of Matera
- Visit the Cathedral of Saint Maria della Bruna and Saint Eustachio
- Walk through the charming narrow streets of the Sassi of Matera
- Admire the rock churches of St. Lucia delle Malve and St. Maria de Idris with medieval frescoes
- Enjoy the charm of the Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Private walking tour of Matera with licensed tour guide
Itinerary
The Sassi of Matera are one of the oldest and most evocative urban landscapes in the world, made up of homes, churches, and spaces carved directly into limestone rock. This extraordinary settlement, inhabited since prehistoric times, is a unique example of human adaptation to the natural environment. Today, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offer a fascinating blend of history, culture, and rock-hewn architecture.
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The rock churches of Matera are fascinating sites carved directly into the stone, reflecting the deep spirituality that has characterized the Sassi of Matera over the centuries. Among the most significant, the Church of Saint Lucia delle Malve preserves important medieval frescoes and spaces linked to monastic life, while the Church of Saint Maria de Idris, perched on a rocky spur, stands out for its panoramic position and interiors carved into the rock, decorated with evocative sacred paintings.
The Cathedral of Saint Maria della Bruna and Saint Eustachio is the main place of worship in Matera, located on the highest point of the Civita between the Sassi of Matera. Built in the 13th century in Apulian-Romanesque style, it stands out for its imposing stone façade and large central rose window. Inside, it houses frescoes, Baroque decorations, and sacred artworks, while also offering a stunning panoramic view over the Sassi and the Gravina of Matera.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.4
- 59
- 42
- 30
- 22
- 10
Ratings come from 13 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Piazza Vittorio Veneto square, next Banca Intesa San Paolo (ex Banco di Napoli)
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- ITALYGONIA TRAVEL
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
How it compares in Matera
- Its from-price is 300% above the median of the 186 experiences we list in Matera.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 47 of 186.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Matera
Matera is a southern Italian city of ancient cave dwellings carved into a ravine, a UNESCO-listed maze of stone houses, rock churches and stepped lanes.
Matera, in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, is built above a deep ravine, and its old districts, the Sassi, are cave houses and stone buildings stacked down the cliff. People have lived here since prehistory, and until the 1950s many families still occupied the caves, before they were moved to new housing. The Sassi were listed by UNESCO in 1993, and the cathedral crowns the rock between the two districts, Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso.
Top-ranked sights in Matera: Sassi di Matera, Murgia National Park (Parco della Murgia Materana), Madonna delle Virtù Church (Chiesa di Madonna delle Virtù).
Special offers in Matera
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
