| Tour Type | Private tour |
| Tour types | Guided tour |
| Sightseeing type | Historic site tour |
| Transport | Walking |
Please refer to your voucher for final information regarding meeting points, pick-up locations, and pick-up time
Meeting point description: Please reach tour operator's office located in Via Alessandro Volta, 3.(Martulli Viaggi - Tour & Experience, Via Alessandro Volta, Matera, Province of Matera, Italy)
To appreciate Matera's core, including the Sassi Barisano and Caveoso, allow at least one full day. For a more comprehensive experience, delving into rock churches, museums, and enjoying the atmosphere, two to three days are ideal. This allows time for guided tours, leisurely walks, and enjoying local cuisine without rushing.
Matera served as a spectacular backdrop for the opening chase sequence in the James Bond film "No Time To Die." Key scenes, including Bond's thrilling motorcycle jump and car chase, were filmed across its historic Sassi districts and winding streets, creating some of the movie's most memorable moments.
Matera's Sassi districts are historically significant as ancient cave dwellings, continuously inhabited for millennia. Once symbols of poverty, they underwent extensive restoration and urban renewal. Their unique architecture and human history led to their designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing a remarkable example of human adaptation to natural terrain.
The Sassi di Matera are distinct due to their ancient cave dwellings carved into the rock, forming a unique labyrinthine urban landscape. The "new" Matera, in contrast, developed from the 17th century onwards, featuring more conventional above-ground buildings, wide streets, and modern infrastructure, setting it apart from the subterranean character of the Sassi.
Matera's ancient and evocative landscapes have attracted many filmmakers. Beyond James Bond, it's notably featured in Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," where it stood in for ancient Jerusalem. Other films include "Ben-Hur" (2016 remake) and Pier Paolo Pasolini's "The Gospel According to St. Matthew," highlighting its timeless and dramatic appeal.
Matera's international fame stems from its ancient Sassi cave dwellings, a UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing continuous human settlement since the Paleolithic era. Its unique history of abandonment and subsequent regeneration, coupled with its designation as a European Capital of Culture in 2019 and its role as a dramatic film set, have significantly elevated its global recognition.
Matera is very walkable within its Sassi districts, though it involves navigating steep paths, stairs, and uneven cobblestones. Comfortable footwear is essential. Exploring on foot allows for immersion in its unique architecture. Guided tours are highly recommended to understand the complex history and hidden gems of the Sassi without getting lost.
The most common public transportation option from Bari to Matera is by train or bus. The Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL) train connects Bari Centrale with Matera Centrale, with a journey taking approximately 1.5 hours. Alternatively, several bus services offer direct routes, which can sometimes be faster depending on the schedule and traffic.