Items filtered by date: February 2025
A Hidden Gem of Italy: Matera
On her recent cruise with TAUCK River Cruises, our travel advisor, Lou, traversed the Puglia region of Italy. Discover all the hidden delights (literally) in one of the oldest cities in the world as Lou takes you through her travels!
The Puglia region of Italy might be better recognized as the region that forms the heel of Italy’s “boot.” Known for its Mediterranean coastline and centuries-old farmland, there is so much rich culture to discover in this region just southeast of the Amalfi coast.
Arriving in the region, you may likely begin your journey in the capital city of Bari, a vibrant port city and university town. Bari’s old town was a beautiful place to spend a night, with convenient and interesting adventures awaiting.
My first stop was Matera, an absolute not-to-be-missed village in Puglia. If you’re after a completely different experience, this historic town is full of unique experiences waiting for you. Matera is the third oldest city in the world, with over 10,000 years of history. Walking around, you might wonder if this city has simply existed forever.
Matera is located along the rim of a long valley with a ravine flowing through, and the walls of the ravine are filled with over 1500 cave dwellings carved into the mountainside. These ancient caves are known as the Sassi–some of the oldest inhabited settlements in the world.
We stayed in the gorgeous hotel Palazzo Gattini, a location you may recognize from the James Bond films. With incredible views and amenities, I would highly recommend this accommodation to anyone.
Matera is often characterized as eclectic due to its various influences over the centuries, including the Greeks and the Roman Empire. The city’s narrow, winding streets weave around the cliffs and stone-carved caves with an historic center with medieval relics of culture, trade and art.
Visiting Matera today, the city and the Puglia region is thriving, but the history here is rather unusual. Sassi is considered the 3rd oldest city in the world, dating back to 700 BC. While the rest of the world developed, the cave dwellers in Sassi did not evolve into modern times. The Sassi districts were overcrowded and impoverished for much of the 20th century, eventually becoming known as the “shame of Italy.”
Evacuated in 1952, the Sassi was neglected for quite some time before a revitalization effort to preserve the ancient dwellings and cultural heritage took place. Today, it is a UNESCO Heritage Site, housing museums like the Casa di Vico Solitario, with period furniture and artisan tools. Nearby rock churches include St. Lucia, with 13th century frescoes.
Today, there are a few renovated caves used as homes and hotels, and buildings have been built on top of the caves throughout the years. Every evening, they light up the homes and the street for a sparkling glow throughout the city.
During our tour, we walked up and down the ravine and along the rim. Hikers will definitely love this area, with many opportunities to explore into the ravine and wander along the cliffs. We enjoyed a fantastic dinner at a restaurant nestled in a cave along the rim. For any travelers who are foodies, they’ll enjoy tasting the wonderful cuisine in this region!
Are you ready to plan your TAUCK River Cruise,TAUCK River Cruise, or perhaps plan your own itinerary for the Puglia region in Italy? Get in touch with one of our travel advisors to get started!
Learn more about the following River Cruises:
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Scenic River Cruise
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Avalon Waterways
