The “Sassi” of Matera, are ancient cave dwellings in the Italian city of Matera,Basilicata. MATERA

A great place to visit They are famous all around the world and lodge millions of tourists a year.

Their origins The Sassi originate from a prehistoric settlement, and are suspected to be some of the first human settlements in Italy.

Until the late 1980s this was considered an area of poverty, since these houses were, and in most areas still are, mostly uninhabitable. Current local administration, however, has become more tourism- oriented, and has promoted the re-generation of the Sassi with the aid of the European Union, the government, UNESCO, and Hollywood. Today there are many thriving businesses, pubs, and hotels.

Culture The Sassi are reminiscent of ancient sites in and around Jerusalem, and for this reason the Sassi have been used in many films, including The Gospel According to St. Matthew (Pasolini, 1964), King David (Bruce Beresford, 1985),The Passion of the Christ (Gibson, 2004) and The Nativity Story (Hardwicke, 2006).JerusalemThe Gospel According to St. MatthewPasoliniKing DavidBruce BeresfordThe Passion of the ChristGibsonThe Nativity StoryHardwicke