Page 5 - Living Italy Past and Present Issue 8

MATERA
Matera Main Square
Matera, a designated UNESCO World Heri- tage Site since 1993 in the region of Basili- cata, celebrated its special year as European capital of culture in January 2019 A whole series of events took place there throughout the year The rock city is best known for its extensive unique cave limestone dwelling districts, the “Sassi” (stones) The old quar- ters provided a stunning unique backdrop of stairways and narrow lanes, amazing cave dwellings carved out of the rock, rock church- es with beautiful frescoes and elegant build- ings The cave dwellings, inhabited since the Palaeolithic period, formed two rooms Large families consisting of father, mother and nine or ten children lived in two cave rooms, one room being a living bed room kitchen, where a few animals were allowed to stay to heat the room, and a second inter connecting cave room for more animals
Typical Cave Dwelling
Cave Dwelling with Animals
The whole family, crammed together with their mules, pigs and chickens, lived in pov- erty in cold damp dwellings with no natural light, ventilation, electricity or running water This way of life lasted until the early 1950s, when they were banned for the unhealthy liv- ing conditions and hygienic reasons Visiting the dwellings, which have now been set up as museums, is quite an experience especial- ly to see how these families lived
Cave Dwelling Kitchen Area
Likewise, the nearby Rupestrian churches in the rock are another incredible feature It is a completely different world.
Recent events have drawn more attention to this unique place, and, like all regions in Italy, Matera has its local cuisine following typical traditional food of southern Italy
Living Italy Past & Present 5