Exploring Matera Italy - The "Underground" City | with Expert Guides

Dr Estelle Lazer and local guide Silvio Scocuzza take you on this virtual walking tour through Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on a rocky outcrop in the region of Basilicata, southern Italy. Matera has been described as 'the most outstanding example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean". It is dramatically situated on a ridge with deep canyons on either side and includes about 1500 ancient cave dwellings that reflect continuous occupation dating back at least 9,000 years. Matera has been occupied by Greeks, Romans, Longobards, Byzantines, Saracens, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, and Bourbons. It was awarded the title of the European Capital of Culture for 2019 by the European Union and has been used as the backdrop for numerous films, including Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of Christ' and the most recent James 'Bond' production. This walking tour will take you through the Sassi (from the Latin, Saxum, meaning rock or stone), and will include visits to a rock cut church and a domestic cave dwelling. Academy Travel is a leading specialist in small-group cultural tours. We strive to provide a well-planned, fulfilling, and enjoyable itinerary, allowing you to travel with like-minded companions and learn from internationally renowned experts - https://academytravel.com.au