Matera is best known for its extensive cave-dwelling districts, the “Sassi”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. A stunning backdrop of stairways and narrow lanes, cave-houses carved out of the rock, rock churches with beautiful frescoes, and elegant buildings, steeped in history and art. Matera is the European Capital of Culture 2019 and offers plenty of attractions. It is well worth visiting the Park of the Rupestrian Churches, which consists of more than 150 rock churches, filled with ancient spirituality.