A Stroll Among the Sassi of Matera and Beyond

Having risen to fame thanks to Mel Gibson, who chose it as the indirect "star" location for his film "The Passion of the Christ", Matera has in fact already been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for several years, thanks to its Sassi district, very ancient dwellings inhabited until the 1950s and then cleared because they were considered unhygienic. To tell the truth, after a period of neglect the Sassi have regained their former lustre, and so many people are thinking of moving back to live there, naturally with all the comforts. Matera is a lively little town, full of restaurants and bars, and being on a hill it enjoys a climate sufficiently cool for anyone wanting a trip in summer and mild enough for a spring or autumn visit.

It isn't hard to reach for those coming from Bari, since the SS96 gets you there easily, though you have to watch out for the bends; but anyone wanting to arrive by train has to rely on the local railways, since unfortunately the city is still not served by TRENITALIA. For those who venture along the Sassi, beware the improvised guides who pop up suddenly to collect a few coins from the unwary tourist wandering aimlessly. For a snack, I recommend a good focaccia from an unassuming bakery at the entrance to the Sasso Barisano, though unfortunately I don't remember the name of the establishment; sadly, it's been several years....:-( Worth noting is that right nearby stands the space geodesy centre, certainly an important reference point for all those interested in astrophysics.