Matera
After two beautiful days in Monopoli and Polignano a Mare , we switched to a totally different world – Matera , the third oldest city in the world, after Aleppo and Jericho, with over 10,000 years of history. There isn’t any sea view with crystal clear water in Matera but rock caves and dwellings. Matera is simply magical and mystical. The symbol of Matera is the “Sassi”, caves dug into the mountain where the local people lived. One cave dwelling accommodated families and their animals. Life was harsh with scarce resources. When the population grew bigger, the living condition further deteriorated. The extreme poverty together with the poor hygiene and infectious diseases led to isolation. Matera was segregated from the rest of Italy and named ‘Shame of Italy’. Until 1950s, due to the deteriorating conditions and escalating health crisis in Sassi di Matera, the city government authorised to construct modern apartments just off the ancient Sassi. Ma...
