MATERA - How To Explore THE OLDEST CITY IN ITALY! I Italy Travel

Fabulous people, if for you plan on traveling to Italy, visiting Matera, the oldest city in Italy and one of the most ancient inhabited places on earth, is simply a must. With the history so peculiar, at times it's hard to believe the city is real. Dating all the way back to the Paleolithic period, a time when ferocious mammoth roamed the earth, the last ice age was just starting to wind down and the paleo diet wasn't just another nutrition trend, the southern Italian city is unlike anything you'll ever visit or experience in Italy. And today I'll share with you everything you need to know before arriving in Matera, from the best things to do in Matera, where to stay and eat, to all the top Matera attractions. All right, fabulous people, now before we begin this Matera travel guide, please remember to smack that like button, and if you're new to my channel and my vibe and the vibe of this channel resonates with you, I invite you to subscribe. All right, fabulous people, let's go explore Matera. Carved out entirely out of the rocky slopes of a mountain in Basilicata, a region in the south of Italy, Matera is a city like no other. First thing that you need to know about Matera, Italy, is that you'll spend a lot of time in caves. You'll eat in a cave, have an aperitivo in a cave, do sightseeing in a cave, and even sleep in a cave. Actually, let me take you inside our cave at the Sextantio hotel, located in the oldest part of the Sassic waters, and show you exactly what I mean. Good morning, fabulous people, welcome to our cave. One of the most special things to do in Matera is to stay in one of the numerous cave hotels that are spread out throughout the entire town, and my choice during this trip falls with Sextantio hotel, which is considered not only one of the most special hotels in Matera, but entire Italy. I mean, guys, just imagine waking up in an ancient cave with modern amenities that they did an incredible job hiding, because they still want to transport you back in time, and at the same time you have this centuries-old aesthetics. Guys, this is just something that you won't be able to experience anywhere else in the world. Look at all these details that I was telling you about, that they were able to preserve. Truly, this is something that I personally have never seen before. Even all the shampoos, creams, everything is produced here in Matera by the artisans from the town, so everything is natural, unique, and I'm actually already looking forward to get some candles and lotions for when I go back to Rome. And really cool, guys, I wanted to show you something. So, first of all, the toilet is, of course, located right behind this wall, so whoever you're traveling with, you guys are going to get close really fast. But the coolest part about this whole thing is, of course, the bathtub. And as I was telling you, guys, they really made sure to preserve centuries-old aesthetics, but, of course, with a modern twist. So, look at this shower. This is pretty much how you're going to be showered, unless you're a bath person, then, of course, you can then just take a bath. All right, guys, now back to Matera and back to the things you absolutely cannot miss while exploring one of the most special towns in entire Italy. So, now I'm going to take a bath, and after that, I'm going to take you on a journey back in time to discover one of the most special and unique cities in the entire world. After an abundant breakfast with typical organic local products, like the signature Matera bread, freshly baked focaccias, homemade cakes, fresh mozzarella, ricotta, delicious gems, and marmalades, it was time to explore Matera. The best way to get to know Matera is by walking around the old town, or the Sassi. There are two main parts of Sassi, Caveoso and Barisano, and you can easily spend half a day just walking around the small alleyways and discovering numerous breathtaking Matera viewpoints. Fabulous people, one travel tip for Matera that I have for you. Make sure that your hotel or Airbnb provides you with a map and more or less tells you where things are, because Google Maps are not doing their best in Matera. It is very easy to get lost, but, of course, you will end up with this kind of views. Still, if you're trying to see certain things, a map is the best way to go in Matera. If this is going to be your first time in Matera, I strongly recommend starting your exploration with Casa Noa, which is considered a sort of a gateway for visitors to the city. During the visit, you will have a chance to go back in time, and even if you're not a history buff, you'll be left speechless by the unique past of this truly one-of-a-kind city. Matera seems to have existed forever. Aside from Petra Jordan, it is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in history. Originally, it was a collection of caves in the Paleolithic Age, and later people started to dig in and build whatever they could. So, one person's ceiling became a In the mid-20th century, Matera became one of the poorest and most overcrowded cities in Italy. Known as Vergogna d'Italia or the Shame of Italy, the living conditions in the Sassi were extremely difficult, with poor sanitation, limited access to water, and overcrowded space. People lived in one-room caves without windows, heat, or plumbing, often with donkeys and other animals sharing the space. If you want to see what living in the 1950s would have been like, I recommend visiting one of the cave houses or Casa Grotta. These museums give you a fascinating insight into life in the Sassi, especially when combined with the film at Casa Noa. So, the entire visit to Casa Grotta will take you about 10 to 15 minutes, and what I truly enjoyed about being here is that it truly takes you back in time. So, as you walk through every single room, they really make sure to show you what the life used to be in those caves. Conditions in Matera were so bad that in the 1950s, the government of Italy passed a law forcing roughly 16,000 people, mostly peasants and farmers, out of their old quarters and into new modern buildings. For decades, the time stood still in Matera, until in 1993 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural and historical significance. Movies like The Passion of Christ and No Time to Die were filmed here, helping to bring Matera, Italy, to the attention of the global audience. The once-abandoned houses were renovated and turned into museums, restaurants, and hotels. At last, Sassi di Matera has been restored, becoming a major tourist destination in Italy. The next thing that should definitely be on your list of things to do in Matera is discovering and exploring its numerous churches and, of course, the Cathedral di Matera. Located in Piazza Duomo, it's the main Catholic place of worship in the city. The Cathedral is notable for its impressive facade with frescoes and sculptures. The interior is just as stunning with high-vaulted ceilings and gilded altarpieces. The Church of St. Mary of Idris, built into a huge rock on the hill, is another must-see place in Matera. It's one of the oldest religious sites in the city with parts of the church dating all the way back to the 9th century. It's a truly distinctive site from numerous viewpoints throughout Matera. Just keep in mind that taking pictures or videos inside isn't allowed. And just a stone's throw from Madonna di Idris is Chiesa di San Pietro Caveoso. Built in 1218 in the Baroque style, the church has undergone several renovations over the centuries, yet much of its original structure has been preserved, making it a true historic treasure. And, of course, fabulous people, if you want to take all the headache out of the planning process and help my fabulous Vita travel agency to organize, plan, and book every single thing for you, from accommodations and transportation to tours, activities, and restaurants, then I will make sure to leave a link to the concierge service of my travel agency in the description down below. After walking up and down numerous steep staircases and sightseeing in Matera, you'll be ready for a refreshing beverage at one of the numerous little cafes and terraces. If you're looking for a terrace with a view, I recommend Terrazza Cavaliere. Once inside, head straight to the terrace out the back for some cool refreshments and dramatic views. Matera City offers so many unexpected treasures and hidden gems, and Palombaro Lungo is definitely one of them. This remarkable example of ancient water management systems is one of the largest and most important cisterns in the area. It was carved out of rock to collect rainwater that was used for various purposes, including drinking, irrigation, and washing. You'll be able to explore the cistern and admire its architectural features like the large underground chambers and the network of tunnels that were used to collect and distribute water. One Matera travel tip that I have for you is that you won't need a lot of time to discover and explore any of the Matera sites. On average, plan on spending 15 to 20 minutes at each place. Another thing for you to know is that you can pay with a credit card for all the sites, be it a cathedral or casa grotta, you do not need to have cash on you. As the evening slowly sets upon Matera, bathing it in its warm light of golden hour and the sound of the church bells spreads throughout the entire city, the atmosphere becomes truly magical. And one of the most special ways to spend an evening in Matera is by having an exclusive dining experience at the Sextantio Hotel inside a 13th century cave church. Fabulous people tonight, we are having probably one of the most special dinners I've ever had and the reason for it is because Sextantio Hotel offers an exclusive dinner to its guests where you can dine inside an old church and you have the entire space just to yourself and then you have this incredible one-of-a-kind dinner that is prepared for you with all the traditional dishes from the region and of course from Matera specifically with the Matera wine. We begin our culinary journey with a plate of traditional local appetizers that was so abundant with variety that I could have easily called it a night afterwards, but I knew this was just the beginning. Guys, I promise to you I'm not doing this for the camera, this is truly something spectacular. After the appetizers, we were offered two different types of pasta dishes typical to the region and equally delicious. Guys, this is the course number four and we have two more meat courses and then food and dessert coming. Let me tell you, if you decide to do this experience, you absolutely cannot eat anything that day or that week for that matter because it's a lot of food, it's a lot of food, but guys, everything is so good, everything is truly homemade and in fact the chef was sharing with me that every single recipe is made in accordance to how her grandmother used to make these dishes, so it's almost like traveling back in time not only with the ambience but also with the dishes and what can I say, the most special evening. When I was sure there was no way I could eat more, two meat courses arrived one after another and yes, I had to try them both. And of course, as soon as it was time for dessert, somehow my appetite was back and I was so excited to try this homemade creation. What can I say, we came, we saw, we conquered. Now, of course, I'm not going to end this Matera vlog without sharing with you one of the most special dinner places with the views on Matera that will leave you speechless. But first, a Matera fashion tip from yours truly. One thing they don't tell you about Matera is that everything is up and down, so if you plan on traveling to Matera, make sure that your pants are not too long because you will end up holding them like this the entire time because trust me, you cannot wear heels either, so you're the restaurant fabulous people. With the views on the very heart of Sassi and cuisine inspired by the Mediterranean tradition based on simple components and seasonal ingredients, Reggio Corte quickly got the reputation of one of the best restaurants in Matera. Tonight we're having dinner at Reggio Corte and the views, guys, the views. If you're looking for the most perfect place to have dinner in Matera with the views, this is your spot. It's just, I mean, there is nothing like seeing it with your own eyes, just stunning. Here you can choose between three and four courses. I went with three and the portions were so generous that I was very happy with my decision. I started with tartar of Podolica beef, capers, parsley, and lemon, so good. For the second, I decided to go with the dish of the day, which certainly didn't disappoint. It's crunchy, I can definitely taste the seafood, the crunch of the breadcrumbs, so good. The final dish was local sausage with bruised potatoes, wild fennel, and caciocavallo. And, of course, the last evening in Matera couldn't end without a dessert. Thank you, Matera, for your spectacular scenery, unique cave experiences, delicious food, and a fascinating history. I'm already dreaming about coming back for more. Well, fabulous people, thank you so much for watching this Matera vlog. I truly hope that you found it useful and beneficial. And before you go and start packing for your trip to Matera, please remember to smack that like button. And if you're new to my channel and my vibe, and the vibe of this channel resonates with you, I invite you to subscribe, and I truly hope to see you all in my next video.