In this guided tour of Sasso Barisano, we'll explore the alleyways and underground passages of this ancient district in the center of Matera and enter one of its typical cave houses.
Sasso Barisano Tour
We'll meet at the indicated time at Via Domenico Ridola 61, where we'll start this tour by talking about the history and culture of the city of Matera.
To reach Sasso Barisano, we'll take Via Ridola, where we'll see baroque-style buildings and temples. We'll also pass the Lanfranchi seminary, the church of Santa Chiara, and the convent of the Poor Clares, which is home to the Domenico Ridola Archaeological Museum.
Leaving behind the churches of Purgatorio and San Francesco, we'll reach Piazza del Sedile, famous for its lively atmosphere which reflects of the characteristic Italian dolce vita. We'll then take Via delle Beccheria, an ancient shopping street, to reach Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Here, a fabulous panoramic view of Sasso Barisano awaits us, which we'll reach by following a series of narrow alleyways and underground passages.
Once in Sasso Barisano, we'll visit one of its typical cave houses, which are carved into the rock and furnished in a traditional Italian style. There, we'll learn firsthand how the inhabitants of Matera lived until they were forced to abandon these peculiar dwellings years ago. We'll also go underground to discover an ancient hypogeum.
On our way back to the starting point, we'll make one last stop for a tasting of local products. Then, we'll say our goodbyes after 2.5 hours of exploring this fascinating city.
View complete description