will be driving from a town in Salerno to Bari end of May.....was wondering if anyone has been to Matera (Sassi di Matera) and if it would be worth stopping there on our way??? TY

Absolutely, positively, YES!!

Matera was selected by Mel Gibson as the location for filming "The Passion of the Christ".

The Sassi are what one would expect Jerusalem of two thousand years ago to look like.

We spent two nights there, and it was barely enough time to explore the Sassi, the new town and the ancient rock churches located across the gorge from the Sassi Bassano and Sassi Caveso.

We are very independent travelers, and very rarely take tours; however, we arranged a four-hour tour in Matera and it was money very well spent.

If you have a chance to stay overnight, a hotel or pension room "chiseled" from the rock face is a unique experience.

cat,
If you decide to go, I recommend the book "Christ Stopped at Eboli" by Carlo Levi, a memoir of his exile in the area....a very good read with a wonderful historical perspective...after finishing it, I have put Matera on my "to see" list....

I am just on the last 40 or so pages of Christ Stopped at Eboli- it's a wonderful story!

Yes, of course I have read Levi's book and seen the movie....loved both!. Forgot that it was the site for that film!...........I'm convinced now ...will go out of my way to go! Thanks so much.

I agree with Georgine. Our two nights there were probably not enough.

I have not been there--- itinerary including a stop there fell apart. We were very excited about staying at the hotel sant'angelo. (www.santangelosassi.it) The rooms are caves.

It's www.hotelsantangelosassi.it. Sorry

Matera is not the site for "Christ Stopped at Eboli"
The story takes places in the towns of Aliano (Gagliano in the book) and Grassano which are in the region.

Probably one of the most amazing sites to see inItaly. The Cave homes are incredible and unforgettable. The church is beautiful, as well. Definitely a place to stop. We stopped there on our way to Bari also. Have a great time.

Thanks so much.I am very excited about going now!