Matera – Italy’s City of Stone, Ancient Streets and Golden Bread
Explore Matera’s ancient cave dwellings, UNESCO charm, and taste its iconic golden bread baked for centuries in the heart of Basilicata.
BASILICATA
Region: Basilicata
Province / Nearest City: Matera
Attraction Name: Matera – The City of Stone and Bread
Address: Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 75100 Matera (MT)
Distance from Major City: About 250 km from Naples (3 hours 30 minutes by car)
How to Get There:
By car: From Naples, take the A3 motorway south to Salerno, then follow the SS407 Basentana toward Matera.
By public transport: From Bari, regional trains connect to Matera in about 1 hour 30 minutes. From Naples, take a train or bus to Bari, then transfer to the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane line.
What Makes It Unique in the World:
Matera is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with human presence dating back over 9,000 years. Its famous districts, the Sassi di Matera, are carved directly into limestone cliffs, forming a maze of narrow streets, stone stairways, and cave dwellings. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993 and named European Capital of Culture in 2019, Matera blends ancient heritage with vibrant cultural life. The city is also inseparably linked to its celebrated bread, Pane di Matera DOP, made from local durum wheat and shaped into traditional horn-like loaves that can keep for days. With its thick crust and airy interior, this bread mirrors the endurance and ingenuity of Matera’s people.
Local Story / Fun Fact:
Up until the mid-20th century, families in Matera would prepare their dough at home and bring it to communal ovens for baking. Each loaf was marked with a carved wooden stamp bearing the family’s initials to avoid confusion. Many of these stamps are preserved today in local museums.
Best Time to Visit:
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) bring pleasant weather and fewer visitors. For an unforgettable experience, plan your trip in early October during the Festa della Madonna della Bruna, when processions, fireworks, and music fill the city.
Nearby Food & Stay:
Sample authentic Pane di Matera at Panificio Perrone or Panificio Paoluccio. Pair it with peperoni cruschi, local cheeses, or lamb specialties at Osteria Al Casale. For lodging, Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita offers a boutique stay in restored cave dwellings, while Locanda di San Martino features a spa built directly into the rock.