One of the oldest cities in the world, Matera is situated high on a hill and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. This Italian city offers stretches of sandstone landscape with a zigzag of cobblestone streets and stairs.
Matera Cathedral is a 13th-century church situated at the highest point of the city. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, this cathedral has a rose window with statues of Saints Peter and Paul. When you visit the church premises, you'll be able to get a panoramic view of the city and its buildings carved into stone. Constructed by the Count of Matera and situated atop a hill, Tramontano Castle was built to defend the city.
The stone city of Matera is best explored on foot. You can also hop on a tuk-tuk and visit the museums, caves and cave hotels in the city. To travel to Matera, you can get on a train from Bari. It takes about an hour and a half to travel to Matera from Bari by train. The nearest airport is in Bari, if you wish to travel by plane.