The Ancient Cave City of Matera

Matera is an ancient city in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. The city is famous for its Sassi, a group of cave dwellings carved out of the soft tuff rock. The Sassi have been inhabited for over 9,000 years, making them one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world. Today, the Sassi are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction. In addition to the Sassi, Matera has many churches, museums, and restaurants to explore.