One Day In The Unbelievably Enthralling Ancient City Of Matera
We were not supposed to go to Matera because we had Altamura on our list to visit instead. However, I came across the city whilst I was planning our route from Alberobello to Altamura. The photos I saw online took my breath away that I was forced to learn a bit more about the place. Suffice it to say that Matera became one of those places that we must visit whilst we were in Southern Italy.
The drive to Matera was over an hour from Alberobello via SS172 then SP106 to SP235. Finding a street parking in the New Town was not that bad from what I can remember. From where we parked (the name of the street escapes me), it was only a short walk to one of the most spectacular places I have ever visited- the Sassi di Matera.
Matera is the third oldest continuously inhabited city and until the 1980s, was plagued by poverty, illness and high infant deaths. In 1993, it became UNESCO World Heritage Site and since then, there has been an increasing number of tourists visiting the city.
The first glimpse of the Sassi drifted me away to some place quite difficult to believe existed. It was so surreal looking at the houses carved in stones. I could easily see why they chose the city as one of the locations for the movie The Passion of the Christ.
Admiring the beauty of this wondrous place from afar will never be enough. You actually have to roam around the place on foot to genuinely experience this magical place. In my opinion, this is the best way to explore every corner of the neighbourhoods of Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano.
I must say that walking up and down the numerous labyrinth of uneven stone stairs of the world's third oldest city was a religious experience for me. It transported me back to thousands of years ago.
Sassi di Matera was the biggest surprise of our Italian trip this year. The whole place was enthralling. It didn't feel quite real, it was almost like a dream being there. There is so much to love about this 9,000 years old city which is the European City of Culture in 2019.
I have been to some amazing places in Italy, and in Europe in fact, but no place has given me such a mind-blowing experience as the Sassi di Matera. This place is special because of its sorrowful history, and yet magical beauty.
Where we ate:
1.Ristorante Borgo Antico- Str. Palazzo di Citta, 46 Bari
- My idea of Italian feast is a platter of my favourite seafood. This was exactly what Borgo Antico in Bari offered me. It was a well-deserved treat after that transcendent experience in Matera. Located in the centre of Bari, this restaurant is not easy to miss. We enjoyed our lunch here as it had that authentic Italian vibe. I ordered the Grigliata mare con scampi, gamberoni e polpo arrosto which was delightful.
2. Ristorante Hotel Grotta Palazzese- Via Narciso, 59 Polignano a Mare
- I had mixed feelings about this restaurant. Yes, it was a unique experience and yes, it was er, romantic. However, the service was disappointing and the food was mediocre. The serving was good for the price, but apart from that, there was nothing else about the food really. I didn't enjoy the service as it was too impersonal. It was haphazard and lacking some passion. I wondered whether the people who work there were genuinely happy to be there? For more or less than €130 per head, I would recommend the restaurant for its enchanting location. After all, how many times can you actually dine in a cave overlooking the Adriatic sea? And if you book carefully, you might also enjoy the beautiful sunset. So yes, Grotta Palazzese is one of those restaurants you should at least try- once.
TIN x
The first glimpse of the Sassi drifted me away to some place quite difficult to believe existed. It was so surreal looking at the houses carved in stones. I could easily see why they chose the city as one of the locations for the movie The Passion of the Christ.
I must say that walking up and down the numerous labyrinth of uneven stone stairs of the world's third oldest city was a religious experience for me. It transported me back to thousands of years ago.
From across the Sassi are the cave dwellings dating back to the Palaeolithic period. People lived there about 9,000 years ago.
Sassi di Matera was the biggest surprise of our Italian trip this year. The whole place was enthralling. It didn't feel quite real, it was almost like a dream being there. There is so much to love about this 9,000 years old city which is the European City of Culture in 2019.
I have been to some amazing places in Italy, and in Europe in fact, but no place has given me such a mind-blowing experience as the Sassi di Matera. This place is special because of its sorrowful history, and yet magical beauty.
Where we ate:
1.Ristorante Borgo Antico- Str. Palazzo di Citta, 46 Bari
- My idea of Italian feast is a platter of my favourite seafood. This was exactly what Borgo Antico in Bari offered me. It was a well-deserved treat after that transcendent experience in Matera. Located in the centre of Bari, this restaurant is not easy to miss. We enjoyed our lunch here as it had that authentic Italian vibe. I ordered the Grigliata mare con scampi, gamberoni e polpo arrosto which was delightful.
2. Ristorante Hotel Grotta Palazzese- Via Narciso, 59 Polignano a Mare
- I had mixed feelings about this restaurant. Yes, it was a unique experience and yes, it was er, romantic. However, the service was disappointing and the food was mediocre. The serving was good for the price, but apart from that, there was nothing else about the food really. I didn't enjoy the service as it was too impersonal. It was haphazard and lacking some passion. I wondered whether the people who work there were genuinely happy to be there? For more or less than €130 per head, I would recommend the restaurant for its enchanting location. After all, how many times can you actually dine in a cave overlooking the Adriatic sea? And if you book carefully, you might also enjoy the beautiful sunset. So yes, Grotta Palazzese is one of those restaurants you should at least try- once.
TIN x
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