“Regarded as an expression of an old way of life,” Sassi di Matera is a prodigious conservation project located in beautiful southern Italy, just a mere 240-km southwest from Naples. This project is one of many similar projects, aimed at preserving the renowned heritage of the historic Bronze age civilizations and monastic communities. The story surrounding this place is absolutely astonishing, yet troublesome. Quoting from their website, “One of the most impressive epics of the southern Italian peasants, enslaved to this region’s landowners, took place, concentrating and wasting away in great numbers. The Sassi of Matera are characterized by an extensive scattering of caves hewn out of the rock, born out of the most elementary survival needs, an upturned town that breaches back into its own womb, where the human and animal living space merged among the same walls. The project Albergo Diffuso Sextantio “The Civita Caves” encompasses 18 rooms, some or them of outstanding size, and a common area in a rock-hewn church. The whole complex is located in the oldest part of the Sassi “La Civita”, overhanging the Gravina torrent, facing the dramatic scenery of the Park of the Murgia and its rock-hewn churches.”
I found this place intriguing, despite my fixation with Italy and their culture in general. I hope to gain the privilege of visiting these beautiful historic caves at some point in the future and experience the “traditional architectural heritage” it has to offer. Their website, which you can access below, is equally incredible. Utilizing some of the newest flash goodies, it features a full-screen video of the cave dwellings playing in the background. Between the footage of the video and the authentic music, it is almost as if you are actually there. The site does a fabulous job of sparking curiosity and drawing you in. I also found the site to be very informational and descriptive, giving adequate background and detailing the conservation project(s). Below, is a taste of some of the brilliant imagery they offer. Please visit their site for a more comprehensive gallery of images and additional information. It is well worth the visit!
view site :: sassidimatera.com
