The Sassi in a nutshell
Caveoso and Barisano are the two historic Sassi districts of Matera. The Civita, where the cathedral stands, lies between them. Caves, built houses and a system of water infrastructure together form the old town. UNESCO inscribed it in 1993 under the name "The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera", under criteria (iii), (iv) and (v). The listing includes the area of rock churches across the gorge.
Only the Sassi and that park are listed, not the whole region of Basilicata. This is an independent guide, not run by the city, UNESCO or a church operator. Prices are 2026 listings and they change.
From emptied districts to living neighborhoods
The short history that explains what you see.
UNESCO describes how the population of the Sassi was moved out in the 1950s. Residents have been returning since the 1980s. That is why the districts now mix homes with hotels, restaurants and museums, and why Matera is not a ghost town. If you want a ruined town, see Craco, which you visit with a reserved guided slot.
Our picks: Sassi tours
Walks with entry to cave houses and rock churches, and an open-top bus with a stop in Sasso Caveoso.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sassi walk with three entries
A regionally licensed guide, with entry to Santa Maria de Idris, San Giovanni in Monterrone and the Museum of Peasant Civilization.
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Sassi walk with a cave house and a rock church
A licensed guide, entry to a cave house museum and to the rock church of Sant'Antonio Abate, plus a discount coupon.
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Open-top bus tour of the Sassi
An on-board companion in Italian and English, a stop at Piazza San Pietro Caveoso with free time, Casa Grotta entry and a Sassi map. There is no guide during the free stop.
Check availability →Sassi di Matera tours
Guided walks through the Sassi and rock churches, with live prices and availability.
The three areas side by side
Examples taken from public listings.
| Area | What is there | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sasso Caveoso | Palazzo Pomarici, home of MUSMA; the Aquatio hotel, with 35 rooms and suites | Stairs and lanes. MUSMA charges its own admission. |
| Sasso Barisano | San Pietro Barisano; Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, Via Civita 28 | The hotel says guests cannot drive straight to it. A partner garage is offered. |
| The Civita | The cathedral, between the two districts | The two Sassi districts and the Civita together form the old town. |
Rock churches and tickets
Three rock church sites can be visited with one operator's ticket: Santa Lucia alle Malve, the complex of Madonna de Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone, and San Pietro Barisano. You choose one, two or three. Since 28 March 2026, Santa Lucia and Idris open daily from 09:30 to 19:30, with last entry at 19:20. San Pietro Barisano opens from 10:00 to 19:00, with last entry at 18:50. The sites are closed on 2 July and 25 December. Show your online confirmation at the entrance. Tickets are not refundable.
Children up to 10 enter free with a parent, and minors must be with an adult. The reductions below apply to people with a disability, FAI members and groups from 20 people.
Church ticket prices in 2026
Per person, in euros.
| Ticket | Full price | Reduced | With licensed guide | School classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 church | €4.50 | €3.50 | €2.50 | €2 |
| 2 churches | €8 | €5.50 | €4 | €3 |
| 3 churches | €10 | €7.50 | €5 | €4 |
| Combined ticket, 8 sites | €25 | €16 | – | – |
The combined ticket adds the church complexes, Vicinato a Pozzo, Casa Grotta, MATA, the Purgatorio exhibition and the bread museum. It does not include Palombaro, MUSMA or the Vico Solitario house, which charge their own admission. Prices and hours for those are on the Matera page.
Walking the Sassi
On your own or with a guide.
A guided walk in Caveoso
One local operator offers a guided Caveoso walk for €20. It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes and meets at Via B. Buozzi 91/b, where you should arrive 15 minutes early. Children up to 14 are free. The route includes Santa Lucia alle Malve, a typical Casa Grotta and a free ticket for a guided visit at the Vicinato a Pozzo museum. If you cancel, the guide fee is not refunded.
What to wear and bring
Non-slip shoes, water and protection from sun or rain. The lanes are stone, often steep, and the Sassi have many steps.
Access for wheelchairs and walkers
The slope is steep and step-free access is not confirmed for the churches. Ask the operator for the site and the date you want before you go.
Driving in
Vehicle access around D'Addozio and Buozzi is restricted: 10:00 to 24:00 from 1 July to 15 September, and 10:00 to 20:30 from 16 September to 30 June. Ask your hotel before you drive in.
Keep planning
The city, the sights and a place to sleep.
Matera
Tickets, hours, stairs, traffic and the weather.
Things to do in Matera
Twelve places across the Sassi and beyond.
Matera cave hotels
What a cave hotel really is and what to ask.
If your route continues south, Calabria has a full guide, and its things to do page is a starting point.
Sassi di Matera: frequently asked questions
What does Sassi mean?
The word refers to the two historic districts, Caveoso and Barisano, of old Matera. They are made of caves, built houses and water infrastructure that together form the historic town.
Is the whole city a World Heritage site?
No. The listing covers the Sassi and the park of rock churches, not the entire city or the region of Basilicata.
How much do the rock churches cost?
In 2026 one church costs €4.50, two cost €8 and three cost €10. Reductions apply for people with a disability, FAI members and groups from 20 people, and children up to 10 are free with a parent.
Are the churches open every day?
Since 28 March 2026, Santa Lucia and Idris are listed daily from 09:30 to 19:30 and San Pietro Barisano from 10:00 to 19:00. They close on 2 July and 25 December. Hours can change with the season, so check the operator's page for your date.
Does a combined ticket cover everything?
No. The €25 ticket covers eight sites. It does not include Palombaro, MUSMA or the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario.
Is it suitable for people who cannot manage stairs?
Not easily. Steps are everywhere, and step-free access is not confirmed for the churches. Ask the operator before you plan your day.