Matera: The Intentionally Forgotten Cave Houses

Matera, located in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, serves as the capital of Matera Province. This small town is nestled in a canyon formed by the erosion of the Gravina River. The Sassi are scattered along the cliffs of the Gravina River gorge. Ancient Matera inhabitants ingeniously utilized the calcareous rock of the canyon walls to carve out caves as their dwellings. While the Sassi cave houses are stunningly beautiful, life for their residents was extremely harsh, and the area was once considered a slum. Despite the historical significance of the Sassi, Matera and its cave dwellings were forgotten by the world and even by Italy itself for thousands of years. Eventually, the Italian government recognized the importance of the Sassi and took steps to improve the living conditions of its residents. Today, the town squares are dotted with bars, offering a glimpse into the carefree and joyful nature of Matera's people.