Introduction
Matera, Capital of Culture 2019, celebrates its Pane di Matera IGP and a unique cave-dwelling tradition.
The area boasts 3 protected-designation products and 3 dishes of the local tradition and 1 UNESCO heritage sites.
Upcoming Events & Festivals
Here are the upcoming events in Matera e Sassi:
Recurring Events
These events take place every year in Matera e Sassi:
Festa della Madonna della Bruna
2 luglioMatera · 630+ anni, dal 1389
Carro Trionfale e "strazzo" rituale.
Gezziamoci Jazz Festival
Fine agostoMatera · ~38a edizione
Jazz internazionale nei Sassi.
Presepe Vivente nei Sassi
Dicembre-GennaioMatera
800 figure nelle grotte dei Sassi.
Il Maggio di Accettura
PentecosteAccettura
"Matrimonio" tra due alberi, unicum europeo.
PDO, PGI and local products
The protected-designation products of Matera e Sassi represent the excellence of the area:
What to eat in Matera e Sassi
A traditional soup of mixed cereals and legumes, the classic dish served on August 1st.
Matera-style panzanella made with day-old bread, tomatoes, and onions.
Lamb slowly cooked in a clay pot.
Traditions & Culture
Shepherds' procession at dawn, the Triumphal Chariot, and the ritual 'strazzo'.
Rooster-shaped whistles, an artisanal tradition dating back to the Neolithic.
UNESCO Heritage
Europe's oldest continuously inhabited urban settlement (~9,000 years).
Nature Parks & Protected Areas
A karst plateau featuring rupestrian churches and canyons.
Historical Figures
Born in Matera in 1708, founder of French opéra-comique.
Author of 'Christ Stopped at Eboli', set in Basilicata.
Local Communities
The festivals and events in Matera e Sassi are organized by Pro Loco associations and local groups that safeguard the area's traditions:
Matera
Organizzano la Festa della Madonna della Bruna dal 1389, con il Carro Trionfale e lo "strazzo" rituale nelle strade dei Sassi.
Matera
Promuovono il jazz nei Sassi dal 1988, portando artisti internazionali nelle grotte e nei palazzi storici.
Accettura
Custodiscono il rito del Maggio, unico matrimonio tra alberi in Europa, tradizione pagana sopravvissuta nei secoli.
Curiosities
“The Sassi district is Europe's oldest continuously inhabited urban settlement (~9,000 years).”
“Matera was European Capital of Culture in 2019.”
“The Sassi served as the filming location for Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ'.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1What PDO and PGI products are found in Matera and Sassi?expand_more
Matera and Sassi are home to 3 protected designation products, including: Pane di Matera (PGI), Matera DOC (DOC), and Fagioli di Sarconi (PGI).
2What should I eat in Matera and Sassi?expand_more
The signature dishes of Matera and Sassi include: Crapiata, Cialledd, and Cutturidd. Each dish tells the story of the territory's gastronomic tradition.
3What UNESCO World Heritage sites are in Matera and Sassi?expand_more
Matera and Sassi are home to 1 UNESCO World Heritage site: the Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera (Cultural, 1993).
4What are the most famous festivals in Matera and Sassi?expand_more
Among the most important festivals and events in Matera and Sassi are: Festa della Madonna della Bruna (Matera, July 2nd); Gezziamoci Jazz Festival (Matera, late August); Presepe Vivente nei Sassi (Matera, December-January); Il Maggio di Accettura (Accettura, Pentecost).
5What natural parks are in Matera and Sassi?expand_more
Protected natural areas in Matera and Sassi include: Parco della Murgia Materana (Regional Park).
6Who organizes festivals in Matera and Sassi?expand_more
Festivals in Matera and Sassi are organized by local communities such as Pro Loco Matera, Associazione Gezzi, and Pro Loco Accettura. These Pro Loco associations and organizations are the guardians of the territory's gastronomic traditions.