SASSI DI MATERA
ITALY
This mind-blowing village has been inhabited by cave dwellers since the Paleolithic time, and even there is an evidence that people were living here as early as 7000 BC!. In the 1950s, the Sassi were declared a slum and its residents were forcibly relocated. However, in the 1980s, the city underwent a restoration process and the Sassi were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. Today, Sassi di Matera is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world to see its ancient cave dwellings, historical churches, and unique culture. According to the English Fodor's guide: "Matera is the only place in the world where people can boast to be still living in the same houses of their ancestors of 9,000 years ago."
Entering this prehistoric village is like plunging myself into a magical world that feels surreal. Every stone and wall that I touch has been in this place for nine millenniums!. No wonder Mel Gibson decided to shoot "The Passion of the Christ" here. Loney Planet quoted, "The Sassi di Matera, a complex of cave dwellings carved into the rock, is a stunning example of sustainable living, offering a glimpse into the lives of early human settlers in the region." Enjoy!
Thank you for traveling with me!
This is part of my ongoing travel visual clips, where I share a glimpse of my travel visuals and thoughts. Each series features a paragraph about the history of the place, followed by a paragraph describing my thoughts while exploring that place. Accompanied by no more than fifteen carefully curated images that I took, each series is intended to give you the umami of travel. - Julius Yls
I am currently working on Monochrome Fine Art Prints projects, and they are available at the following:
Fine Art Chromogenic Catalogue & Print ( Catalogue & DigitalDownload )
Printed on Fine Metal ( Displate )
Printed on Shirt ( Threadless )
Printed on Shirt ( Threadless )
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