The stone walls of Matera do not whisper history—they press it into the air. The scent of damp limestone still clings to cave ceilings carved thousands of years ago, while narrow passages funnel light ...

Five years ago I spent a three days in the Basilicata town called of Matera, called “la città sotterranea” ("the underground city"), a slightly eerie place where many of hillside cave dwellings dating ...

Our journey begins in Bari, the capital of Puglia, a city that welcomes visitors with unmistakable southern Italian character. Narrow streets lined with weathered façades, laundry hanging between ...

Tucked inside the arch of Italy’s boot, Matera could have easily disappeared into the annals of history — the community was inhabited some 10,000 years before falling into disrepair, and was ...

Today, it’s one of the most astonishing places in Italy – a city carved into a rugged hillside – but just a few years ago, Matera was branded a national disgrace. Many residents still remember when ...

See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. "Matera is the real Jerusalem." On the drive in, it doesn't feel like ...