The Sassi of Matera, which up to the end of the 1700’s had been an example of perfect integration between humans and their environment, underwent a notable degradation – enough to eventually be proclaimed the “National Shame of Italy”. In 1948 the issue of how to deal with the Sassi of Matera came to the forefront, first brought up by Palmiro Togliatti and then by Alcide de Gasperi, Italy’s Prime Minister at the time. The Sassi had become a symbol of the underdeveloped and “backwards” South of Italy.
Then something changes, the city of Matera becomes an authentic “lab-experiment”; the Commission for the study of the city of Matera, promoted by UNRRA-CASAS and set up by Adriano Olivetti, President of the National Institute of Urbanism and by the American sociologist Friedrich G. Friedmann, are responsible for the design and (as faithful as possible), restoration of the Sassi neighborhoods, using experts from various disciplines such as history, demography, economics, urbanism, palaeo-ethnology, sociology and prestigious Italian designers. In 1986, a new national law finances the restoration of the ancient neighborhoods of Matera, by then in total disrepair, after over thirty years of abandonment.
In 1993 the Sassi of Matera are declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 2014 the town wins the title of European Capital of Culture for 2019.
You will now be seeing a former monastery where Basilian monks lived
Where if you like, you will have the possibility to see a real cellar from the 18th century.
You will also visit the museum of peasant culture, where there is a restored kitchen - as it was in the 1930s, as well as an example of how linen was lain, the loom, where local women weaved, a wine press where the wine was made and last but not least, a first chapel where you will find frescoes dating back to the 12th century, with various religious iconography. Finally we climb to a garden overlooking the belvedere with two other chapels that also boast paintings and frescoes and where the monks probably met in prayer.
The former winery here, is the only one to be frescoed in SASSI di MATERA.
Now we just have to wish you a good visit to ALL YOU ...
       
"My name is Francesco Paolo Festa, but my friends & family call me "Ciccio Festa" this diminutive evokes in me, with a touch of nostalgia, memories of my youth and brings me back to bygone days when I lived in the Sassi of Matera with my mom and my dad. My name, for those who know me well, also conjures up with a smile a further thought and an acronym "OLP" which stands for “Onestà, Lavoro e Progresso” or, “Honesty, Work and Progress" with these convictions I have raised my children ...
After retiring to a new life, as I reach the age of retirement, I wanted to re-engage myself. For my whole family, for years this was just a simple cellar where the grapes were hung... .
In the beginning ... this adventure , was done in the spirit of pure distraction & hobby, in all sincerity I would never have thought it would become what it is now. Then slowly, I became more and more aware that my work – thanks above all to the help and infinite patience of my wife Rosa, without which I would feel lost – was actually making something quite special...
ThisMonastery tells you more of an experience, you probably will find it anachronistic ... but definitely unique in its kind...
I dedicate all of this to my wife & children..."
Our family is composed of people filled with passion and enthusiasm, which we hope will be passed down to our little ones.
We are happy to warmly welcome visitors and friends to our humble home, so that you may discover the true roots of our land.
Also visit La raccolta delle acque
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For bookings and guided tours, please contact 328 4364372
We kindly advise visitors that photos & videos are not allowed.
Address: Via Casalnuovo, Matera 75100 MT
For more information Email: rosaparadiso50@gmail.com
Copyright © Emanuele Paradiso