Excursion Matera and unesco sassi district with lunch tour at Monopoli

Matera is located in one of the political regions in the South of Italy called Basilicata. It is renowned for its landscape since the old town centre lies along the sides of a deep ravine split into two by a very small hill known as Civita, where the Medieval town has been built. The result is that the whole city looks like a butterfly, whose "body" corresponds with the Civita and the two wings with the two winding "branches" of the ravine where the very old Sassi Districts have been built. Sassi can easily be translated as Stones into English, curiously referring to the origin of the settlements you're going to visit, partly built and partly carved out of the soft ravine limestone: houses and grottoes, or churches and grottoes at the same time, where life in the past was really hard and the economy was based upon the pasture, because agriculture was quite impossible in a stone context! Many times you will be told that Sassi had to be considered as one of Southern Italy's examples of poverty, but they have been transformed into the most important cultural heritage nowadays, so you will easily understand the reason why such a strange settlement has been listed among the UNESCO sites.

You will travel approximately 2 hours South West inland to reach the magnificent Matera, admiring the rich vegetation of Apulian countryside as well as its highest hills covered with wheat, the main ingredient to produce traditional yellowish-colored bread known as Pane di Altamura (Altamura's bread, after the name of a town close to Matera which is renowned for its DOP semolino bread).

Upon arrival in Matera your tour guide will lead you through narrow lanes and staircases, to explore the timeless picturesque UNESCO Sassi Districts: you will hear stories about "vicinati" (neighbourhoods in English), a real lifestyle with people living in humid one-room-house-caves arranged around little yards, labyrinths of winding streets, rock churches and cantinas, sharing everything they had with families living nearby. Visit one of the typically furnished cave-houses and learn about how some of the locals lived in these caves as recently as 1960s!

Your - typical in this region - set-menu lunch will be served in one of its most famous restaurants and taste local specialties along with local Aglianico wine.

After lunch about 60-minutes free time will be given for own exploration and at an appointed place and time re-board your coach for the approximately 2hours journey back to Monopoli.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Matera's Rupestran Church and Sassi/Stone Houses, Typical (set-menu) Lunch

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount (total distance about 2km) of walking on cobblestones streets and uneven surfaces, and about 100 steps total. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilize a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and sun protection are recommended. Proper attire is required to enter the cathedral; shorts, and bare shoulders are not permitted. On Sunday mornings, church holidays and during weddings, tour groups are not allowed inside churches during services; guests may have a chance to visit the church independently. Guests must be at least 18 years old to participate in tastings of alcoholic beverages. Restroom facilities are located in Matera's town centre and at the restaurant. Shops in Matera are closed on Sundays and Monday mornings; regular shops are open from 0900 AM to 0100 PM and from 0430 PM to 0830 PM; souvenir shops can be open all day through. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment. Please note that guides may have accents reflecting their regional backgrounds, which adds to the diversity and richness of the experience.