Matera (deliberately forgotten cave dwellings)

#AprilGoodDestinations2025 Matera is located in the Basilicata region of southern Italy and is the capital of the Province of Matera. The small canyon in which this town is located was created by erosion of the Gravina River. The Sassi are scattered along the cliffs of the Gravina River gorge. The ancient people of Matera knew how to use the calcareous rocks of the valley walls to dig holes and use them as shelter. The Sassi caves are extremely beautiful but the living conditions of the residents are extremely miserable and they were once identified as slums. Although the people of Matera owned this precious residence with a long history - Sassi, it was forgotten by the world and their own country for thousands of years. Later, the Italian government finally awakened to the attention of the Sassi residents and improved the lives of the cave dwellers. The bars that can be found everywhere in the square give us a glimpse into the cheerful and carpe diem nature of Matera residents.