Matera, the chief town of the more easterly province of Basilicata (399m/1,317ft; pop. 55,000), is picturesquely situated above a rocky gorge. The town is on the site of a prehistoric settlement, remains of which can be seen in the National Museum. The lower old town is made up of the two quarters of Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso. Most of the
houses here, known as "sassi", are hewn from the rock and built in tiers on the hillside. They are a confusion of small walls, steps, gables and chimneys. In 1960 most of the occupiers were re-housed, and today the "sassi" are occupied largely by squatters. However, it is intended to restore them and use them for a variety of events. The rock architecture of the "sassi di Matera" is on the UNESCO list of protected buildings. On the highest point of the old town stands the 13th century cathedral. Its facade is decorated with a rosette in stone symbolising the Wheel of Life. Inside can be seen a fragment of a fresco of the Madonna della Bruna, the patron saint of Matera. Other old churches nearby include those of San Giovanni Battista (13th century), dedicated to John the Baptist, and San Francesco d'Assisi (stucco, paintings, etc.). In the monastery complex adjoining the church of Santa Chiara is the Museo Nazionale (rich finds from various eras). In the region around Matera there are a number of small churches hewn out of the rock, suggesting that at one time monks, sheep-rearing communities, etc. lived here. The Strada Panoramica runs along the top of the gorge past the church of San Pietro Caveoso to the church of Santa Maria de Idris (Byzantine frescoes), on the rocky hill of Montorrone.
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