Exploring the World. Matera, Basilicata by Katya (KatrinShine)

Yes, we all speak Russian; most of all were born in Soviet Union, but by a twist of fate, we all live in different countries around the world. Today, we'd like to take you to a virtual tour with Katya (KatrinShine) to Basilikata in Italy.

Matera is a small town in 150 km from Brindisi in Basilicata region. Matera is listed in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1993. It's became worldwide famouse because of old house-caves carved directly into the rocks. These rock structures are called the Sassi (Stones). The oldest of them is about 7000 years old. In a new caves, there are churches some of them were buit in the sixth century AD. There are very old frescos in some churches that are painted in XI-XII centuries Ad. A lot of famous movies were filmed there, and one of them a very famous Mel Gibson's movie "Passion of the Christ".

There are 1950 house-caves that were people's homes at that time. You will not believe it, but around 15,000 people had lived there. It was almost a half of the population of the city! They had no sewerage, and rain water was collected in a big stone tank to supply their needs.

Now, there are two parts in Matera: modern upper town and historical down town which is called Sassi. Going down to the old city, it seems like you are going to a different world. Beautiful view of the low town:

This is a view of the most ancient rock caves in the down town. They abandoned long time ago.

This how the house-caves look.

This house is a museum. House partially is in the rock, partially built outside it. 11 person family had lived in this small space: two adults and 9 children, with all home scarp. Animals had lived in the same room in the corner.

Kitchen:

Probably, you are wondering... where did they all sleep? Adults with one or two smallest kids slept in a bed.

At night, the bottom drawer dresser and food storage chests were turned into beds.

This is a bed for a little baby.

And this is a model of Matera

Story by Katrin (Katrinshine)
Translated by Irina (IrinaPhotography)