Sassi di Matera - Matera, Italy
The Sassi di Matera district in the Italian city of Matera, Basilicata, well-known for its ancient cave dwellings, is suspected to be among the first human settlements in Italy, continuously inhabited since about 7000 BC. In the 1950s, the impoverished area was considered the “Shame of Italy” and residents were relocated to the modern area of the city. In 1993, Matera was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2019 was chosen as the European Capital of Culture, which has promoted the regeneration of the Sassi and a new tourism focus. A visit here will certainly give one a sense of this ancient lifestyle.
Sassi di Matera - Matera, Italy
The Sassi di Matera district in the Italian city of Matera, Basilicata, well-known for its ancient cave dwellings, is suspected to be among the first human settlements in Italy, continuously inhabited since about 7000 BC. In the 1950s, the impoverished area was considered the “Shame of Italy” and residents were relocated to the modern area of the city. In 1993, Matera was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2019 was chosen as the European Capital of Culture, which has promoted the regeneration of the Sassi and a new tourism focus. A visit here will certainly give one a sense of this ancient lifestyle.
Sassi Dwelling Entrance - Matera, Italy
The Sassi di Matera district in the Italian city of Matera, Basilicata, well-known for its ancient cave dwellings, is suspected to be among the first human settlements in Italy, continuously inhabited since about 7000 BC. As the cave dwellings were created, stone blocks were cut and used to construct the cave entrance, with the door and windows being the only sources of natural light and ventilation. This cave dwelling is now part of a hotel which uses individual Sassi caves as guestrooms.
Himeros Sculpture - Matera, Italy
This sculpture titled “Himeros” was inspired by the Greek god of desire and passionate love. It was crafted by Italian artist Andrea Roggi, made of bronze using the lost-wax casting technique, as part of his Tree of Life series, and is currently installed in Matera, Italy in the Terra Mater - Earth and Heaven exhibition. It appears even more expressive and dynamic against the dramatic sky.
Second Temple of Hera – Paestum, Italy
In ancient Greater Greece, Paestum Italy (then known as Poseidonia) was a major city on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The well-preserved ruins at Paestum include three magnificent ancient Greek temples made of golden colored travertine, the most complete of which was built around 450 BC and is dedicated to Hera, goddess of marriage, women and family, and the protector of women during childbirth. Standing within these 2500 year old imposing temples can be a humbling experience.
Faraglioni Rocks – Capri, Italy
Between the Gulf of Naples and the Tyrrhenian Sea, and just off the tip of the iconic Amalfi Coast of Italy, is the idyllic island of Capri. A signature sight of Capri is the three rocky stacks called Faraglioni (meaning lighthouse in ancient times). The three rock outcroppings peeking up from the sea create one of the most recognizable and captivating landscapes in the world, and are an ideal hide-away for these sailboats.
Positano Bay - Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast's impossibly picturesque town brimming with "la dolce vita", Positano has grown from a fishing village and a medieval port for the Amalfi Republic, to be a sophisticated Southern Italian resort town. Steep slopes covered in pedestrian lanes and sweet-scented wisteria face out onto the Tyrrhenian Sea, and its popularity blossomed since the 1950s when John Steinbeck wrote "It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone."
Positano at Sunset - Positano, Italy
The Amalfi Coast's impossibly picturesque town brimming with "la dolce vita", Positano has become a sophisticated Southern Italian resort town. Steep slopes coated in pastel villas and hotels cascading down the mountainside towards the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea. In this view at sunset, the sea is beginning to calm and the city lights are glowing.
Sunset Over The Amalfi Coast - Italy
Built on steep cliffs with villages cascading down towards the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most scenic stretches of seacoast in Italy. Its ornate villas, pastel-colored towns, domed churches, and terraced lemon groves have been attracting visitors since the Romans. If you are fortunate enough to be on the water at sunset, you can see the sun creep down behind this striking coastline.