Matera: A City Carved from Stone

Matera is a city unlike any I've seen before. The ancient town is carved out of soft tufa rock, creating a labyrinth of caves and dwellings that stretch for miles. I observed that the city has a rich history, spanning the Paleolithic era to its current role as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Despite its ancient roots, Matera has a vibrant cultural scene, with theaters, museums, and galleries scattered throughout the town. The city also boasts a thriving culinary scene; the local bread, Matera bread, is particularly noteworthy and I found it to be delicious.