Private Matera Walk Through History

Our guide will accompany you to discover the oldest and most fascinating area of the city of Matera: the historic Rioni Sassi. Along this pleasant walk, which winds through the alleys and panoramic views of Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, there are many stops for historical, architectural and cultural insights. In particular, it will be possible to visit a 12th century rock church from the inside, one of the most representative carved into the rock, both for its still recognizable architectural structure and for the excellent state of conservation of the period wall paintings medieval.

Walk through the historic districts known as the Sassi of Matera, with a visit inside a typical cave house, to discover the history and the artistic and cultural heritage through the places, the stories of those who lived there, local crafts and a visit to cave sites.

Private tour with a multilingual tour guide that will lead just you discovering the city and its history.

Walk along via delle Beccherie, the connecting road between via Duomo and the splendid Romanesque Cathedral of the thirteenth century. The Cathedral, through its stairways and typical narrow streets of the stony districts, you can visit the Barisano stone with its refined architecture that was the backdrop for the daring scenes shot in 2019; Via Madonna delle Virtù, a road that runs along the Gravina di Matera, 007's favorite place for chases with the legendary Aston Martin; Via Muro, the most cinematic street in Matera, chosen in more than 70 years by famous national and international directors, most recently Cary Fukunaga; From Via Muro the most incredible takes shot in Piazza San Pietro Caveoso; The tour ends at Piazza Pascoli, one of the most fascinating places among the stones, chosen for the construction of the Hotel Balcony build, the hotel room of the legendary special agent

We will discover together what was once defined as the "national shame". Today, Matera, with its Sassi and the Park of rock churches, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Millennia of history and almost uninterrupted human presence have made Matera today a city that has so much to show; we will try to tell it and get to know it.

A unique experience, the data speak for themselves in the last 5 years the city of Matera has recorded a tourist increase of 400%. Thus standing at the top of the most visited cities in the world for its international tourism. Matera with its ten thousand years of history for culture, tradition and hospitality stands at an increasingly important growth. Matera is included in the top ten of the most beautiful Italian cities, "to be visited absolutely at least once in a lifetime". Seeing is believing!

Our private walking tour in the historic Sassi district of Matera will last approximately 2 hours and will be hosted by a local guide with whom you will discover the alleys and panoramic views of Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, and immerse yourself in the rich history, architecture and cultural heritage of the city. During the tour, our expert guides will offer a comprehensive analysis of the historical and social drivers that have influenced the socio-economic trajectory of the region. You will discover the fascinating transformations and stratifications that have shaped the unique urban landscape of Matera over the centuries. During the route you will be able to experience firsthand the gradual evolution of the Sassi area, from its ancient origins to its modern revival. Immerse yourself in the past and discover the present of Matera on this private walking tour, where each step reveals a new aspect of the UNESCO Heritage Site of Sassi di Matera.

With our walking tours, you’ll skip the mundane historical tours and discover the city through a local’s eyes. Experience a tour that will transform the way you travel to make it as much about the people you meet, as it is the places you see. Our local guides (Lokafyers) are passionate about their city and eager to share their knowledge and perspective. Since Lokafyers are not professional guides and tour occasionally, they provide an experience that’s authentic and personal, like a friend showing you around their city. By the end of the tour, you'll feel comfortable navigating the city and confident that you have all the information you need to make the most of your stay.

We will visit a beautiful UNESCO site like the Sassi of Matera: SASSI represents an extraordinary urban ecosystem able to perpetuate the most distant prehistoric ways of the past to live in caves up to modernity. Known as "the Underground City", Matera is famous for being one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. On October 17, 2014, Matera was declared the European Capital of Culture for 2019.

Exploring the Sassi with Vito Rondinone, an official guide from Matera, offers you an exclusive and personalized experience to truly connect with this magical place. As a private tour, you’ll have the full attention of a highly qualified local guide, dedicated solely to you, ensuring that every moment is tailored to your interests. You’ll not only visit the must-see spots but also uncover hidden, non-touristy gems that only a local expert can reveal. The journey begins at a breathtaking viewpoint, setting the stage for an immersive exploration through the ancient alleys of Sasso Caveoso, where I’ll share captivating stories of Matera’s rich history and vibrant culture. We’ll visit a traditional cave house museum, offering a firsthand look into the unique living conditions of the past. Throughout the tour, you’ll encounter stunning vistas, discover Matera’s culinary traditions, and gain a deep understanding of the city’s evolution, making this private tour an unforgettable experience.

Discover the "Sassi" of Matera, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the architecture of the characteristic town walking through its streets. See location sites from the Mel Gibson movie The Passion of the Christ and Wonder Woman  Enjoy a spectacular view of the canyon and walk through the historic center Admire the Casa Grotta, furnished from the 1700s Walking in the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano. See location sites from the Mel Gibson movie The Passion of Christ and Wonder Woman

Explore the 3 districts of Matera: Civita’ and the most fascinating part of the old town, named “Sassi”: Sassi Barisano and Caveoso. The guide will pick you up and bring you to Matera where you will start the guided walking tour. Stop 1 – MATERA – 2 hours. The stones of Matera is a real cultural landscape, capable of perpetuating from the most distant prehistoric past to the modern times.During the walking tour which lasts approx. 2 hours, our professional guides will show you the Sassi and take you to visite inside of a cave house to see the tools, the furniture, the lifestyle of the people that lived in THE SASSI OF MATERA , will take you back in time. transfer – 1 hour Stop 2 Alberobello 90 minutes The first trulli showed up in the prehistoric age being part of an ancient settlement in the Itria Valley.Still, the oldest trulli we know today are in Alberobello, dating back to the 14th Century. A visite inside of a trullo will show you the magic of this place.

Live a suggestive walk of 2 hours in the history of a modern city still stuck to its origins, accompanied by a specialized local guide. This tour will allow you to explore the most picturesque corners of one of the Sassi di Matera, UNESCO World Heritage Site and European Capital of Culture 2019: "Sasso Caveoso". Discover the baroque district, the rock churches, the typical houses of the rural culture as well as the beautiful landscapes that were the locations of the biblical and historical films filmed in the city.

Private tour of Matera. One Word: Unique! Barisano Sassi, Caveoso Sassi, Cività, rock church and cave house, a full tour to enjoy with a local tour guide. AN unique tour will take you back in time enjoying the story, the history, traditions and the fairytale of this magical place.

Discover the history of a city carved into the rock and inhabited until the 20th century. Matera is a unique place, to be visited at least once in a lifetime. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Go to the 2 main districts carved into the rock, where you will discover cave houses and cave churches. During the tour, admire the view from one of the balconies overlooking the Murgia Materana Park. Discover the history and origins of Matera, one of the oldest cities in all of Europe. Finally, reach one of the highest points of the Sassi and visit the cathedral.

Discover Matera with an exclusive private walking tour that will guide you through the magic of its Sassi. Begin your journey on the lively Via Alessandro Volta, then admire the majestic Church of Purgatory with its baroque façade. Continue towards Piazza San Francesco, the beating heart of the city, and stroll through Piazza del Sedile, where history comes to life. Visit the Cathedral, with its spectacular view over the valley, and then head to Sasso Barisano, where ancient stone houses will tell you stories from millennia past. Explore the Sassi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and immerse yourself in history by visiting a typical furnished cave house. Finally, reach Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, with its captivating atmosphere, and visit the Church of San Pietro Caveoso, a perfect example of rock-hewn architecture. A unique experience to discover the timeless beauty of Matera!

For customers who want to independently decide the times and have the Guide and driver at their disposal

Join us for a three-hour walking tour to explore the enchanting city of Matera. Visit Casa Cava, a unique space where history and modernity blend, and marvel at the beautiful frescoes of Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista. Take in the stunning views of Piazza Vittorio Veneto and delve into the fascinating history of Chiesa del Purgatorio. Discover the fascinating Casa Grotta nei Sassi di Matera, and explore the charming Chiesa di Santa Lucia alle Malve. Finally, immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of the Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world.

We'll begin our visit of the famous Sassi, a maze of cave dwellings that cover the lower part of this incredible city, which has been named the European Capital of Culture for 2019. Matera is a city perched not only on top of these incredible cave dwellings, but also above a dramatic ravine, with sweeping views over the landscape. Although there are buildings in ruins still, the city is vibrant with life and culture as many structures have been restored into beautiful cave hotels and restaurants. The time spent in Matera will be a walking tour with stops at Museo Casa Grotta, a renovated cave with period artifacts that gives the visitor a great sense of what life was like before its citizens were relocated out of the Sassi in the 1950s. We will also visit the beautiful Chiesa di Santa Lucia & the famous Santa Maria De Idris. We enjoy 3-course lunch in a local restaurant and visit to a winery and wine tasting.

It’s one of the most unique and spectacular places in Italy or anywhere in the world.Until the 1950s, Matera was a source of shame for Italy, a place of poverty, malaria and high rates of infant mortality, where people lived in caves without electricity, running water or sewage. Carlo Levi’s book "Christ Stopped at Eboli" raised awareness of the desperate conditions people were living in and about half of the 30,000 population were moved to new homes in the modern part of the city between 1953 and 1968. Matera is located in a remote corner of Southern Italy in the small region Basilicata. It’s not the easiest place to reach which is why it has managed to remain relatively unknown, especially to foreign tourists, although since it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 visitor numbers are slowly growing and many of the caves have been transformed into stylish hotels and restaurants. Don't miss to visit Matera!