Calciano
Welcome to the Province of Matera!
The province of Matera is located in the beautiful region of Basilicata and has a population of approximately 191,115 inhabitants. This province was established in 1927 and today is known worldwide for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and rupestrian churches.
Physical Geography
The province of Matera overlooks the Gulf of Taranto to the east, bordered to the north by Puglia, to the west by the province of Potenza, and to the south by Calabria. This province also has an exclave called Serra del Ponte, located within the province of Potenza. The geography of the province is divided into two types, a flat one that overlooks the Lucanian Ionian coast and a hilly one called Collina materana.
Lucanian Ionian coast
The coastal area has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and dry and hot summers. Rainfall is very low, around 500 mm per year.
Collina materana
The hilly area has a colder climate in winter with significant temperature fluctuations. As altitude increases, rainfall increases. Often in winter from an altitude of 400 m or more, there are heavy snowfalls.
Natural reserves
The province of Matera is famous for its natural reserves, including three regional natural reserves; the San Giuliano regional reserve, the Bosco Pantano di Policoro oriented nature reserve, and the special natural reserve of Calanchi di Montalbano Jonico. In addition, there is the Gallipoli Cognato-Piccole Dolomiti Lucane natural park, the natural archaeological historical park of the rupestrian churches of Materano, also known as the Matera Murgia Park, and a small portion of the Pollino National Park.
History
The history of the province of Matera is very ancient. This province has been inhabited since the Paleolithic and has seen the peasant civilization settle here since ancient times. Today, the province is famous for its rupestrian churches, whose first historical evidence dates back to the 9th century.
Municipalities
The province of Matera is composed of 31 municipalities including Matera, Bernalda, Policoro, Pisticci, Irsina, and Montalbano Jonico. Each municipality has its own history and peculiarities. For example, Matera is famous for its Sassi, a neighborhood completely carved into the rock, whose antiquity dates back to about 7000 years ago.
Transport and communication routes
The province of Matera is well connected thanks to a network of roads and railways that link it to neighboring cities. Among the most important roads are the SS7 Via Appia, the SS103 of Val d'Agri, the SS106 Jonica, the SS175 of Valle del Bradano, the SS176 of Valle del Basento, the SS277 of Calle, the SS380 of Tre Confini, and the SS407 Basentana. Among the railways are RFI and the Apulian Lucanian railways.
Come and visit the province of Matera and you will immerse yourself in one of the most fascinating and ancient landscapes in Italy.
