Matera Official Open Bus Tour with entrance to Casa Grotta

Castello Tramontano. Begin the tour at Castello Tramontano, a symbol of late-medieval Matera. Listen to the historical introduction explaining its strategic role and observe the castle from the outside as the starting point of the panoramic route.

Piazzetta Pascoli. Get off the bus and walk to the panoramic viewpoint at Piazzetta Pascoli. Look out over the Sasso Caveoso neighbourhood to understand the rock-hewn landscape.

Vittorio Veneto Square. Take advantage of the stop in Piazza Vittorio Veneto to explore on foot the heart of modern Matera. Admire the view over the Sasso Barisano area, observe the Cathedral from the outside, and learn about the city’s urban development and historic water system.

Belvedere Sant'Agostino. Also known as the Belvedere Colombo, the square adjacent to the majestic church of St. Augustine offers a picturesque view of the city of Sassi.

Rock Church of Sant’Antonio Abate. Continuing the descent, get off the bus in the heart of the Sasso Barisano to visit one of the representative rock churches in Matera. Enter the rock-carved environment and discover the spirituality and testimonies of medieval religious life.

Casa grotta (cave dwelling) museum. The next stop is at a traditionally furnished Casa Grotta museum. Learn how people lived in the Sassi until the 1950s and observe the organization of domestic spaces in caves.

Panoramic route – Via Madonna delle Virtù and Porta Pistola. Get back on the bus and travel along the panoramic stretch of Via Madonna delle Virtù, accompanied by a rich commentary. Enjoy breathtaking views along the Gravina canyon. Stop to observe the Tibetan bridge, suspended above the Gravina stream, and the Regional Park of Rupestrian Churches on the other side of the Gravina canyon.

Piazza San Pietro Caveoso. Upon reaching Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, you can get off the bus again to admire the panorama at the foot of Madonna de Idris and visit the church of San Pietro Caveoso.