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Sassi Tour: Explore Ancient Dwellings Dug into Barisano and Caveoso Tuff
4.6
58 Ratings
Matera
Old homes carved into the tuff. A profound ‘canyon’ (gravina) traversed by a creek. Ceilings that transform into floors for residences on the higher tiers. A complex system of narrow streets, giving the feel of strolling through a papier-mâché nativity display.
Old homes carved into the tuff. A profound ‘canyon’ (gravina) traversed by a creek. Ceilings that transform into floors for residences on the higher tiers. A complex system of narrow streets, giving the feel of strolling through a papier-mâché nativity display.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Museo di Palazzo lanfranchi - The Tour of the two Sassi starts with a historical-architectural and anthropological introduction to the Sassi of Matera carried out in Piazzetta Pascoli. The guide will also illustrate the history of Palazzo Lanfranchi which dominates the small square.
- Piazza Vittorio Veneto - During the walk on the city plan,…
- Museo di Palazzo lanfranchi - The Tour of the two Sassi starts with a historical-architectural and anthropological introduction to the Sassi of Matera carried out in Piazzetta Pascoli. The guide will also illustrate the history of Palazzo Lanfranchi which dominates the small square.
- Piazza Vittorio Veneto - During the walk on the city plan, you come across two Baroque style churches, the Church of Purgatory and the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi. Continuing along Via delle Beccherie, the city’s ancient commercial corridor, you find yourself in Piazza Vittorio Veneto. From here, after having appreciated the nineteenth-century Ferdinand fountain, commissioned by the King of the Two Sicilies Ferdinand II, and the panorama of the Sasso Barisano.
- Casa Cava - Once you reach the bottom of Sasso Barisano, you visit an underground space, Casa Cava.
- Casa Grotta Sassi di Matera - C’era Una Volta - Once you reach the bottom of Sasso Barisano, you visit a typically furnished cave house, a demonstration of how the miserable peasant civilization lived until the mid-1950s, the workshop of the famous master tuff maker “Sassi in Miniatura”.
- Church of Santa Maria de Idris - We continue to the Sasso Caveoso district with a visit to a rock church, completely dug into the rock and a treasure chest of Italian-Greek monasticism with precious iconographic testimonies from the 10th-13th centuries. A visit to the archaeological area of the necropolis of the “Barbaric Cemetery” is not to be missed, a vast area dedicated to around 150 burials dug into the rock, still visible, dating back to the 7th century. A.D. and from which you can admire a wonderful view of the cliff of the ravine and the settlement of the “Rione Casalnovo” or “Albanian neighborhood”.
- Province of Matera - The tour ends, going back up to the city level, near the Provincial Palace, with a small tasting of typical Lucanian products.
![](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/0f/01/c8/db.jpg)
What's Included
- Entry to a traditional cave house
- Admission to a quarry house
- Sampling of local specialties
- Access to a rock church
- Entry to a traditional cave house
- Admission to a quarry house
- Sampling of local specialties
- Access to a rock church
What's Not Included
- Private transportation
- Private transportation
Location
Via Domenico Ridola, 61
Via Domenico Ridola
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(58 Ratings)
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Robert_d
Feb 12, 2025
Enchanting Matera experience! - This was a comprehensive tour of the sassi. It was well paced and took in all the important parts. The place is beautiful and we managed to see it all without waste of time and energy, considering how many ups and downs there are. A tour is a must as you need every minute and can't afford wasting energy getting lost. Barbara was an excellent guide. She timed the areas where to stop for a breather very well. She also took pics of us at the best spots. She was nice enough to fit in a stop by the cathedral too. Most importantly, Viator let us change the day to the next in less than 24 hours, because I was sick on the day. We had a great day!
Review provided by Viator
Donatellapl226as
Jan 24, 2025
Entering Matera you immerse yourself in history... it’s like going back in time... wonderful!!! - Through the story of the guide Antonio (passionate about his work), we entered the soul of Matera...Thank you!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sunshine28008092512
Jan 10, 2025
Bravo Antonio - Great ride with the guide Antonio Pizzulli, competent, passionate and kind, revealed the real Matera that otherwise we would not have known
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Donatellafrancescar
Jan 6, 2025
Caveoso and Barisano stone tour - Beautiful tour of the two stones, Caveoso and Barisano, with Francesco... it was interesting and pleasant... we thank Francesco and all the staff.... to try
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Linda
Dec 29, 2024
Amazing day with Linda - Linda was an amazing tour guide. Not only she’s a lovely lady but also she’s very knowledgeable about the entire history of Matera and made our very long tour very pleasant.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paolopn8011tf
Nov 15, 2024
excellent experience in Matera - Thanks to Mrs.
Chiara for recommending guided tours in particular with Antonio, excellent guide , in the enchanting places of Matera!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marcio_a
Sep 23, 2024
Very nice - Barbara our guide was very knowledgeable of Matera and the history of how it all came to be today. There was lots that I leaned and saw. The views were also spectacular.
Review provided by Viator
Daydream15956152416
Sep 1, 2024
Tour of Matera - Beautiful experience, Luca was really good at explaining, managing to get into the magic of Matera the group with anecdotes and jokes.
Highly recommended the evening tour of 2h where you can perfectly understand the magic of the city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ivanct8556tw
Jul 4, 2024
Visit to Matera unforgettable - Breathtaking landscape , Manduria is very reminiscent of Capadocia, guided tour with Mrs. Linda amazing because very prepared person engaging with an extra gear... congratulations really
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melissa_p
Jun 16, 2024
Great Guide! - Antonio was a great guide! He is very knowledgeable and has an easy personality and manner to explore Matera!
Review provided by Viator
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