Principale-EN (12)
Maria Teresa Galessiere - Licensed Tourist Guide
75100 Matera - Italy
+39 320 893 9298
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For informations about customized tours, please send and e-mail usind the form below.
Your opinion is very important to me! Please leave a review on my Facebook page by clicking here!
Nel periodo natalizio Matera assume un ulteriore fascino. Le strade e i negozietti del centro storico sono già illuminati a festa, pronti ad accogliervi nel migliore dei modi. Ad allietare il vostro soggiorno in città è previsto un ampio cartelloni di eventi, a partire dal bel noto presepe vivente che quest’anno si manifesterà in due forme: una comunale e l’altra privata. Entrambi gli spettacoli avranno come cornice gli splendidi Sassi di Matera.
- Lo spettacolo comunale ‘Dies Natalis - La Natività nei Sassi di Matera’ prenderà avvio il 17 dicembre.
Un incontro fra religiosità, arte e cultura che racconterà e animerà la nascita del Redentore in maniera unica. Il percorso presepiale sarà suddiviso in tappe. Le prime due nel piazzale della chiesa rupestre di Madonna dell’Idris e in piazza san Pietro Caveoso con fruizione gratuita e che prevederanno musiche, luci e voce narrante. Il percorso a pagamento si snoderà lungo il Sasso Caveoso, tra grotte scavate nel masso tufaceo e chiese rupestri, abbellite da illuminazioni architettoniche con giochi di colore e luci, ambientazioni sonore, rappresentazioni di musica classica e pastorale lucana, che creeranno l’atmosfera della sacralità del periodo. Il viaggio terminerà con il presepe francescano, uno spettacolo son et lumierè con le statue del presepe e il tema della Stella Cometa, esaltata da un mirabile intervento di illuminazione delle grotte, visibile dal piazzale Madonna delle Vergini. Saranno circa 450 i figuranti in totale, tra cui numerosi migranti di altre nazionalità coordinati dai volontari delle associazioni locali. Alcuni costumi di scena saranno realizzati dalle detenute del carcere di Lecce. Durante il percorso verrà offerta ai visitatori una degustazione di prodotti a km zero.
DATE: dicembre 17-18 | 23 | 26 | 30 gennaio 5-6-7
Orari ingresso: dalle ore 16:00 alle ore 22:00
Info Ticket Ingresso Presepe + Degustazione:
7,00 € Intero
4,00 € Ridotto per residenti materani
5,00 € Ridotto per gruppi oltre i 20 partecipanti
6,00 € Ridotto per under 18
1,00 € Ridotto per disabili sensoriali e under 10 accompagnati dai genitori
N.B. Ogni biglietto vale come buono sconto di 5,00 € sul prezzo di ingresso dei grandi attrattori turistici lucani:
1) Volo dell'Angelo - Dolomiti Lucane
2) Parco della Grancia - Il Cinespettacolo la "Storia Bandita" - Brindisi di Montagna (PZ)
3) Voli in Mongolfiera - Basilicata
Per info e Acquisto ticket:
Numero Verde 800598252
Cell. 3922731200 - 3331762885 – 3331762905
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Lo spettacolo privato ‘LAUDATO SI’, giunto alla sua VII edizione, si svolgerà a partire da giovedì 8 dicembre 2016.
Saranno otto le scene della Gerusalemme antica e della Natività di Gesù ad essere rappresentate: l’Annunciazione, il Mercato, il Sinedrio, la Corte di Erode, l’Accampamento Romano, la Domus Romana con il Rito del Matrimonio, i Pastori e Contadini ed infine la Natività con i Re Magi.
Gli allestimenti e le scenografie rievocheranno i grandi Kolossal cinematografici, per dar vita a uno spettacolo teatrale itinerante lungo i vicinati dell’antico rione di Matera. Attori professionisti, comparse, scuole di Recitazione di Rionero in Vulture, Avigliano e Bari renderanno ancora più realistiche le scene della Gerusalemme antica. La rievocazione della Galilea di 2000 anni fa, sarà garantita dalla presenza del Gruppo Storico Romano. Il presepe sarà a pagamento sotto forma di visita guidata.
DATE: dicembre 8-9-10-11 | 17-18 gennaio 6-7-8
Orari ingresso: dalle ore 14:00 alle ore 20:00
Il prezzo del biglietto è di € 8,00 a persona.
Per info e prenotazione:
0835/339401 – cell. 388/1935238
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Durante tutto il periodo delle festività natalizie ci saranno anche concerti nelle chiese, rappresentazioni teatrali in vernacolo materano, artisti di strada, concerto di zampogne, concerto di arpe viggianesi, proiezione di film a tema natalizio. E per gli amanti del pattinaggio su ghiaccio potrete recarvi all’Ice Christmas Village! E’ stata montata una pista di ghiaccio presso il Parco del Boschetto che sarà fruibile fino al giorno 8 gennaio 2017.
Infine, il divertimento non mancherà nemmeno l’ultimo giorno dell’anno. Come evento di punta del Capodanno 2017, è previsto il concerto della band “Dire Straits Legacy”, che si terrà in piazza Vittorio Veneto a partire dalle ore 23. Dire Straits Legacy è una concept band che vede riuniti gli ex membri dei Dire Straits: Alan Clark, Phil Palmer, Mel Collins, Danny Cummings. Due sono gli italiani, il cantante e chitarrista Marco Caviglia e il tastierista Primiano Di Biase. Sul palco ci sarà anche la cantante Numa. La moglie di Phil Palmer, ambasciatrice Unicef, presenterà il video girato nei giorni scorsi a Matera e i risultati degli incontri promossi nelle scuole di Matera.
Su iniziativa del presidente Pittella, si lavora anche per trasferire a Matera parte dello show di Rai1 “L’Anno che verrà” che quest’anno sarà trasmesso da Potenza con la presentazione affidata ad Amadeus e Teo Teocoli. In attesa di conoscere il cast ufficiale degli artisti la Rai avrebbe già raggiunto un accordo con la Regione Basilicata per trasferire alcuni di questi ospiti sul palco di Matera, dove sarà Francesca Barra, giornalista e scrittrice originaria di Policoro a condurre l’evento.
The itinearies suggested in this section include a guided tour of both the Sassi district and of the old town centre of Matera (il Pano). These tours are suitable for people of any age.
Each itinerary includes several stops in various places of interest (panoramic view points, squares, the tipical neighbourhoods, typical craftsmen workshops, ancient bakeries, typical examples rainwater collection systems etc.), and the possibility to visit a Casa Grotta (an example of a typical peasant dwelling) and a rock church. To visit the Casa Grotta and the rock churches you have to pay an entry ticket.
Rock churches entry ticket: € 3
Casa Grotta entry ticket: € 2
Each itinerary may be customized according to your preferences and requirements.
THE ‘DUE SASSI’ TOUR - A CHARMING ROCK LANDSCAPE (Duration: about 2 hours and 30 minutes)
Meeting Point: Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
We will start our tour exploring the Sasso Barisano discovering tiny lanes, neighbourhoods and small churches, with an optional stop at the rock church complex of Madonna delle Virtù and San Nicola dei Greci. Afterwards we will walk towards the Sasso Caveoso. Once there, we will explore that beautiful area as well and we will stop to visit the Casa Grotta. Continuing the walk back up to the old town centre, we will conclude our tour wandering the baroque part of the city.
Standard rate: € 17,50 per person (Minimum number: 4 people - Maximum number: 25 people).
The tour is free for children under 14 years old.
Special Tour, for one couple or one single person: € 70.00
THE CLASSIC – AN EMOTIONAL TOUR ACROSS THE BEAUTIES OF SASSO CAVEOSO (Duration: about 1 hour and 30 minutes)
Starting from Piazza Vittorio Veneto we will walk down towards the Sasso Caveoso. We will explore this beautiful and charming quarter where you will have the chance to admire its several peculiarities (neighbourhoods, chimneypots, tiypical community bakeries, panoramic view points etc.) You will also have the chance to vist a rock church and the Casa Grotta.
Standard rate: € 15.00 per person (Minimum number: 4 people).
The tour is free for children under 14 years old.
Special Tour, for one couple or one single person: € 60.00
MOVIES TOUR - DISCOVERYING THE MOVIE SETTINGS (Duration: about 1 hour and 30 minutes)
Starting from Piazza Vittorio Veneto we will have a nice walk across the tiny lanes of Sasso Caveoso, exploring some of the settings and venues where movie directors of international renown shot their movies. This tour also includes a visit to the Casa Grotta and to one rock church.
Standard rate: € 15.00 per person (Minimum number: 4 people).
The tour is free for children under 14 years old.
Special Tour, for one couple or one single person: € 60.00
MATERA BY NIGHT – THE MAGIC OF A BRIGHT 'NATIVITY' (Duration: about 1 hour and 30 minutes)
Meeting Point: Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Starting time: 7.00 pm.
During the tour we will stop to the most beautiful panoramic view points of the city to enjoy the amazing night landscape. Wandering the old town centre, we will reach Piazza Duomo and the medieval Cathedral, a beautiful example of Apulian Romanesque architecture. Continuing, then, towards the Sasso Caveoso to explore tiny lanes, courtyards and workshops.
Standard rate: € 15.00 per person (Minimum number: 4 people).
The tour is free for children under 14 years old.
Special Tour, for one couple or one single person: € 60.00
Please note that Matera by Night tour is arranged during the summer period only (June to September). Given the late time, you might not be able to visit the Casa Grotta and the rock churches.
ESCURSIONS TO THE MURGIA MATERANA
By joining an excursions to the Murgia Materana you will be given the chance to both loose yourself in nature and go back to Prehistoric times. Walking along the pathways of the Park you will be able to admire the myriad of plant species that characterize this area and its rich and varied fauna as well (if you are lucky you will see hawks, royal kites and egyptian vultures flying over the Park area). Moreover, while exploring the Murgia, you will come across numerous natural caves, typical of the area, which date back to about 1 milllion years ago. These caves were fundamental to human setlement during the Prehistoric times and later times as well. During the centuries, they had been used as dwellings, hermitages and even churches.
'NEOLITHIC VILLAGE AND BELVEDERE' TOUR (MURGIA TIMONE)
Meeting point: Jazzo Gattini, the Park Visiting Centre.
This excursion includes the visit to the neolithic village and its hypogeum; the stop at a panoramic view point called Belvedere to enjoy the beautiful Sassi lanscape; the visit to two rock churches (Madonna delle tre porte and Sant'Agnese) and the visit to a peculiar example of rainwater collection system. Please note that a car is needed to reach the meeting point.
THE 'SASSI TO MURGIA TIMONE' TOUR (EXCURSION ACROSS THE TORRENT)
Starting point: the Ex-Convento of Saint Lucia alla Civita - ‘Porta Pistola’(Sassi district).
We will start altogether the climb down to the Gravina Stream. At the bottom of the valley, we will cross the Gravina Stream by the wooden bridge. and climb up the opposite slope. The excursion includes three stops: visit to a rock church, visit to a typical example of rainwater collection system and stop on the top of the plateau to enjoy the breathtaking view of Sassi landscape. At the end of the tour, we will go back to the Ex-Convento of Saint Lucia alla Civita - ‘Porta Pistola’.
Please note that both tours last about 2 hours and 30 minutes. It is highly recommended to wear comfortable cloths and trekking shoes.
Standard rate: € 15.00 per person (Minimum number: 4 people).
The tour is free for children under 14 years old.
Special Tour, for one couple or one single person: € 60.00
Per gli amanti della natura, dell’arte, della storia o anche per coloro che sono spinti da una semplice curiosità e dal fascino del paesaggio, è d’obbligo fare un’escursione o una semplice tappa sulla Murgia materana. Si tratta di un altopiano roccioso che si estende su una superficie di oltre 8000 ettari, che rientra dal 1990 nel Parco Regionale Naturale Storico ed Archeologico delle Chiese Rupestri del Materano, e dal 2007 tra i siti Unesco. Questo vasto paesaggio è tra i più importanti siti archeologici d’Italia proprio perché mostra le tracce della presenza umana sin dai tempi antichi, oltre ai tanti cenobi, eremi e chiesette rupestri che testimoniano la presenza di comunità monastiche. Il Parco si estende a sud-est verso Montescaglioso, seguendo il corso del torrente Gravina che poi s’immette nel fiume Bradano. Questo torrente dà il nome al solco (la Gravina di Matera) profondo decine di metri dal fondo valle e con pareti piuttosto scoscese. La Gravina separa il paesaggio dei Sassi di Matera dall’altopiano murgico, offrendo uno scenario davvero di grande impatto visivo. La sua formazione risale a circa un milione di anni fa, con l'inizio dell'emersione dell'area ed il progressivo abbassamento del livello del mare. Lungo i fianchi della Gravina di Matera si osservano successioni rocciose di spessore differente disposte a strati orizzontali. Nelle rocce calcarenitiche, più agevolmente lavorabili, si sono sviluppati i Sassi, i quali si interrompono verso il basso per la presenza di una roccia più dura: il calcare di Altamura. La Murgia è anche un territorio dove abbondano varie specie di piante ed animali. La flora del Parco comprende ben 923 specie, cioè circa un sesto dell’intera flora nazionale. Mentre la fauna è rappresentata da numerosi mammiferi, quali istrici, volpi, tassi, faine, nonché da rettili e volatili. Tra questi ultimi spicca il falco grillaio: un piccolo rapace che adora svernare in questi luoghi e che negli ultimi anni è stato scelto come simbolo del Parco. I visitatori possono godersi il paesaggio scegliendo varie soluzioni: si può scendere fin giù al torrente e all’occorrenza guadarlo tramite il ponticello in legno di recente costruzione, lo si può anche solo costeggiare, o ci si può avventurare per i sentieri che sono stati tracciati lungo le pareti del vallone e fermarsi a esplorare le grotte e le chiese che si incontrano lungo il percorso. Qualsiasi soluzione si voglia adottare, è molto importante indossare un abbigliamento comodo e soprattutto scarpe da trekking!
La straordinaria somiglianza della città dei Sassi all’antica Gerusalemme ha fatto sì che il paesaggio rupestre venga scelto, ormai sempre più di frequente, come set naturale di numerosi film biblici. Da “Il Vangelo secondo Matteo” di Pier Paolo Pasolini (1964) a “King David” di Bruce Beresford (1985), da “The Passion of the Christ” di Mel Gibson (2003) a “The Nativity Story” di Catherine Hardwicke (2006), fino al kolossal di Timur Bekmambetov “Ben Hur”, girato a Matera all’inizio del 2015. Visitare Matera significa scoprire anche le varie location scelte per le ambientazioni cinematografiche, motivo in più d’attrazione per coloro che amano esplorare le località sul filo delle memorie e delle emozioni provate al cinema. Un evento davvero imperdibile, di grande impatto visivo ed emotivo, è lo spettacolo religioso “Mater Sacra”. Tutti gli anni, nel periodo di Pasqua, tre croci (le medesime utilizzate nel film di Mel Gibson) vengono collocate sull’altopiano murgico, a ridosso del canyon della Gravina, e tramite un bellissimo gioco di luci e suoni, un narratore invisibile rievoca la Passione di Cristo.
Matera's lanscape in the sunset is incredibly amazing.
When the sun goes down and the lights and street lamps across the Sassi are on, the scenery is enchanting.
During the late spring and summer period it is possible to enjoy a good dinner at open air in one of the numerous typical small restaurants and pizzerie in the city centre and in the Sassi. The night life in Matera is mainly concentrated in the old town centre, along via Ridola, via del Corso, via delle Beccherie and via S. Biagio. Streets and lanes are full of bars, pubs, bistros etc. where it is possible to have a nice drink while enjoing a live music performance. Moreover, the city centre very often hosts music concerts, street artists, buskers, street markets and even fashion shows.
The whole historical memory of Matera is accurately kept and displayed in its beautiful museums.
Visiting the National Archeological Museum ‘Domenico Ridola’ it is possible to admire artefacts and remains from the Prehistoric era, in particular a beautiful vase collection dating back to the VI and V centuries B.C. (when the whole region was an Ancient Greek Colony), as well as wooden artefacts and authentic weapons used by the ‘Briganti’ etc.
Quite close to the Ridola Museum stands the 18th-century Palazzo Lanfranchi, location of the National Modern and Medieval Arts Museum where it is possible to admire numerous sacred art paintings, the famous ‘D'Errico’ collection and all of the 44 beautiful paintings of Carlo Levi (among them the most famous ‘Lucania 61’).
The Musma - Contemporary Art Museum, located inside an extraordinary 17th-century palace ‘Palazzo Pomarici’, is one of the most important museums in Italy. At the Musma it is possible to make a tour of the seven hypogeous rooms and appreciate the numerous sculptures displayed in such a suggestive setting. Other interesting places to visit are the Farming Culture Museum, the ‘Casa Grotta’ and Casa Noah.
The beautiful territory of Matera is enriched by 155 rock churches. Many of them still keep on their walls almost undamaged beautiful frescoes and architectural decorations. Others, on the other hand, have undergone a transformation over the centuries becoming dwellings or shelter for animals. The high number of rock churches, coenobies, crypts and hypogeous churches is connected to the settlement of numerous religious communities (mainly Benedectine and Byzantine monks) in the Murgia region around the IX century. Apparently the Murgia area was particularly sutable for prayer and meditation.
Particularly interesting and charming are the Crypt of the Original Sin, Madonna delle Virtù e San Nicola dei Greci, Santa Lucia alle Malve, Madonna de Idris and San Giovanni in monterrone.
The excavations carried out in Vittorio Veneto Square in the 1990s revealed an underground ancient part of the city incredibly rich in charm and historical and achitectural value that had been covered up due to the increase in urban development. Such underground places originally represented the hub of the city: ‘Il Fondaco di mezzo’ (the ancient city market), the little rock church of ‘Santo Spirito’ and the ‘Palombaro lungo’. In particular, the Palombaro lungo had been, for a long time, the main water storage of the town. This enormous cistern has a maximum capacity of five million liters of water. It is also known as the cathedral of water for its impressive internal structure made of archs and pillars, perfect example of hydraulic engineering and the most representative instance of the rainwater collection systems developed in this region. Today it is possible to enter and visit the amazing insides of the Palombaro Lungo with a guided tour.
The unique charm of this city firstly derives from its ancient origins. Traces of entreched villages dating back to about 10.000 yars ago are still visible on the Murgia plateau around Matera.
The first significant archaeological fidings, dating back to Neolithic and Paleolithic, were discovered by the senator Domenico Ridola. Such findings (polished stones, bones tools, necropolis with cremation burials) are now kept and displayed in the National Archaeological Museum ‘Domenico Ridola’.
Numerous different peoples invaded and governed Matera over the centuries (the Goths, the Lombards, the Saracens, the Normans, the Swabians, the Angevins and the Aragonese). However, among the most fierce and bloody events of the city's history is the episode of the revolt of citizens against the brutal tyranny of the Count Gian Carlo Tramontano, the man who commissioned the construction of the yet unfinished castle with round towers located on top of a hill, in a dominant position.
The Sassi district had always been inhabited by poor people and, due to the high demographic growth the town experienced from the XIX Century, the state of poverty and the sanitary conditions had dramaticaly declined. In 1948 Matera was stigmatised as ‘the shame of Italy’. The issue of Carlo Levi's book ‘Cristo si è fermato a Eboli’ (Christ stopped at Eboli) represented the first step towards the rise of the city: the book drew the attention of politicians and intellectuals to the state of extreme poverty and backwardness of Lucania region at that time.
Thanks to that indictment, the Italian government approved the ‘De Gasperi’ act, in 1952, for the evacuation of the Sassi district. After about thirty years, the government approved a second act aimed at preserving and increasing the value of the rock scenery. Since then, The Sassi of Matera have gradually come back to life. Today, the district is teeming with peculiar hotels, B&Bs and typical restaurants. In the current context, it is advisable to visit the ‘Casa Grotta’ which is the typical cave dwelling where paesants had been living up to 1960s, furnished with authentic implements and pieces of furniture of the time.
More...
Better known as the City of The Sassi, Matera falls within the range of the most ancient places in the world; its unique and peculiar landscape has the power to evoke deep emotions in everyone enjoying the view.
In 1993 The Sassi district was inscribed on UNESCO's world heritage List and on October the 17th 2014, the City was awarded European Capital of Culture for 2019.
Discovering the ‘Sassi Di Matera’
The Sassi district is formed by two areas called ‘Sasso Caveoso’ and ‘Sasso Barisano’ (that can be identified as two quarters) constituted by thausands of houses carved out of the calcarenite rock, peculiar to the geological heritage of that area. The Civita, the ancient urban core, rises right in between the two quarters and, at the top of it, is the beautiful thirteenth-century Cathedral named after the two patron saints of Matera, Sant'Eustachio and Maria SS. della Bruna.
Entering the Sassi area feels like going back in time in an era when human beings really proved to be able to adapt to different environments and circumstances.
A trip to such a beautiful rock landscape gives you also the opportunity to discover the myriad of tiny alleys, breathtaking panoramas, the typical neighbuorhoods, the typical water cisterns, ancient bakeries, the rock churches with their century-old frescos, as well as the traditional Matera cooking made of humble but wholesome dishes.
By the way, Matera is much more than just ‘the Sassi’; the city is steeped in history, architecture, art and literature. Numerous important figures of arts and humanities, such as Giovanni Pascoli and Carlo Levi, gave their contribution to the rise of such a godforsaken town Matera had been for a long time.
Matera is also very rich in folklore and popular culture. The most significant example of its popular culture is the peculiar patronal festival of Maria SS. Della Bruna, which dates back to the XIV Century, celebrated on July the 2nd. This festival represents, for the inhabitants of Matera, the most important day of the year, actually the longest day of the year (the so called ‘il giorno più lungo’). The most important part of this intense festival is the triumphal float parade through the main streets and roads of the city centre. The float is totally handmade from papier maché and hand-painted by local craftsmen. During the parade the triumphal float, dedicated to Maria SS. Della Bruna, is guarded by about a hundred of knights riding on horses, dressed in typical sumptuous cotumes. The climax of the festival is the assault and distruction of the float by the crowd in Vittorio Veneto Square. The pieces of the float are thought to be talismans of good luck and protection.
Hello Everyone,
this is me, Maria Teresa.
In 2012 I graduated in Foreign Languages, Cultural and Tourism Studies and at present I work as a professional tourist guide, licensed by the Basilicata Region, for French, English and Italian speaking tourists. After having cooperated with various travel agencies and tour operatos, I decided to invest my valuable professional experience in a personal project called ‘Dreaming Matera’. I firmly believe that the tourist guide should be the best promoter of the city. Mainly this and the great love I have for my hometown are the reasons why I put in a great deal of effort, enthusiasm and passion while working. My ultimate objective is to pass on such enthusiasm, passion and love to everyone is visiting Matera. I like to guide tourists across the old town centre walking along the tiny lanes that characterize the charming Sassi di Matera showing them the most evocative places of the city while telling them the local history and folk stories and anecdotes, in particular my Grandfather ones.
What are you waiting for? Book your guided tour right now!
