7 days in Puglia, Italy - 09/16/2023-9/22/2023
|
Day 1-Bari |
Day 2-Monopoli and Polignano a Mare |
Day 3- Matera |
Day
4-Alberobello/Ostuni Basilica of St. Comas & Damian lunch at Alimentari Trullo Sovrano Old Town Old town cont. Ostuni Ostuni cont. Dinner at Ceralacca |
Day 5-
Bari Norman Swabian Castle City Walk Lunch at Bottega del Tortellino Pane e Pomodoro beach Cocktail & Dinner |
Day 6-Trani | Day 7-Bari Last day in Bari |
Day 3- Matera-9/18/2023
Sassi Barisano and the caves
Sassi Barisano is the upper part of Matera that was developed after people learned they could cut limestone blocks for building their houses instead of digging in caves and consist of entire city carved out of the rock.
It was once the heart of the peasant civilization. It was restored and rehabilitated with artisan shops and restaurants.
They did a magnificent job renovating this area. On top and it the center with the pointed roof top is the Matera Cathedral that we just visited.
|
|
|
The winding and arduous street you see is where they filmed the car chase in the last James Bond "No time to die"
Panoramic view of the street.
a
Closer view of the street
a
Here is a picture of the car chase scene in James Bond movie.
a
One last view of the Sassi Barisano
a
We are now on elevated platform looking over the Sassi.
a
View of the Rock Church Madonna dell'Idris from the platform.
a
|
|
|
We are headed to the big rock.
|
|
|
More stairs to climbs.
Passing a street with a view of the Sassi
We are now at the lowest portion of the Sassi
This area is more commercialize with lots of restaurants and coffee shops.
Here you can really see how the houses are built on top of the rocky hill.
We are now getting closer to the Rock Church Madonna dell'Idris
|
|
|
We are now getting up to the Rock Church Madonna dell'Idris which is located on top.
Century old dwelling that was renovated and transformed into a luxury air B&B.
|
|
|
The cave are made of calcareous limestone rock that makes the Sassi of Matera so famous and so special.
a
We are now on top of the Rock Church Madonna dell'Idris. It located in the middle of Sassi Caveoso and is one of the most scenic rock churches.
a
The back side of the church
a
There is large platform around the church and the view is very spectacular.
a
View of the street below from the Church
a
Sassi Caveoso are full of caves.
a
It is difficult to think that people used to live in these caves until the 50s.
|
|
|
Closer view of the caves.
View from the platform of the church.
a
These are a few postcards that are showing how life was in Matera. This is the Rock Church Madonna dell'Idris.
The Rock Church Madonna dell'Idris is on the far right.
a
The Matera cathedral on the top.
 An old man and his donkey inside his cave. This how people used to live in the caves. |
NEXT... Palombaro Lungo
