Identity: the UNESCO Sassi, the districts and Matera 2019
Matera's identity is tied to the Sassi: according to UNESCO, on the World Heritage List since 1993, a cave settlement among the best preserved in the Mediterranean, occupied since the Palaeolithic. The municipality speaks of the Rioni Sassi; the tourism portal distinguishes Sasso Barisano, Sasso Caveoso and Civita.
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The Sassi according to UNESCO
The UNESCO entry describes "The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera" as a complex of houses, churches, monasteries and hermitages built in natural caves, covering 1,016 hectares. The property has been inscribed since 1993 under criteria (iii), (iv) and (v); UNESCO calls it the most intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean, with first occupation dating to the Palaeolithic.
Districts
The municipality uses the term Rioni Sassi, for example in its notices on market pitches on public land. The Matera Welcome portal organises its Sassi itineraries into three routes: "Il Piano e il Sasso Barisano", "Il Piano e la Civita" and "Il Sasso Caveoso".
European Capital of Culture
The municipal tourism portal has a section on Matera as European Capital of Culture 2019.
Data
Sources
Updated: 2026-10-20
Updated: 2026-10-20
Updated: 2026-10-20
Reviewed: 10/22/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-10-31
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