Il Palazzotto Residence & Winery

Hidden within the ancient Sassi of Matera, Il Palazzotto is a beautifully restored cave retreat where vaulted stone rooms, golden terraces and the timeless silence of this UNESCO listed city create a deeply atmospheric sense of escape.

Story

Il Palazzotto’s story begins within the ancient Sassi of Matera, where these stone dwellings were carved directly into the limestone rock and shaped by centuries of cave living, craftsmanship and community life. Over time, the spaces became part of the extraordinary urban fabric of Matera, a city whose layered history stretches from prehistoric settlements through monastic life to the noble palazzi that now overlook the ravine.

Centuries later, the caves and adjoining stone residence were carefully restored into an intimate retreat, preserving original vaulted ceilings, hand cut stone walls and the quiet architectural poetry of the Sassi. Today, warm lighting, understated furnishings and locally crafted details add comfort without disturbing the soul of the ancient spaces.

Why we selected Il Palazzotto

A true cave stay in the Sassi

Sleep within beautifully restored stone rooms carved into Matera’s ancient limestone, where vaulted caves and hand cut walls preserve the city’s extraordinary living history.

Rooted in one of the world’s oldest cities

Hidden within Matera’s UNESCO listed Sassi, the stay offers rare immersion in one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban landscapes on earth.

Ancient stone, contemporary calm

Minimal contemporary interiors and warm lighting bring comfort and serenity without disturbing the architectural poetry of the original caves.

Basilicata culture at your doorstep

From cave city walks and local winery tastings to Lucanian cuisine and artisan workshops, the stay connects deeply to the living traditions of Matera.

Local life & traditions

This is the land of stone bread ovens, cave cellars and olive groves, where family run panifici still bake Matera’s famous PGI bread in wood fired ovens and local cantine age Aglianico wines in ancient tuff stone spaces. Olive oil, durum wheat and seasonal harvests continue to shape the rhythms of daily life, tied to traditions that have defined Basilicata for centuries.

The Sassi rise in hand cut limestone, cave churches and sunlit terraces, a city proud of its monastic, agrarian and artisan heritage. Stone stairways, carved cisterns and vaulted cave rooms define the architecture, while kitchens centre on orecchiette, slow cooked lamb, peperoni cruschi and long lunches poured with Lucanian reds.

Authentic experiences in the area

Explore the Sassi and underground cisterns

Wander Matera’s extraordinary cave city with expert guides, descending into ancient cisterns, rock-hewn dwellings and the labyrinthine passageways that reveal the city’s layered history.

Visit cave churches and sacred frescoes

Discover Matera’s rupestrian churches, where Byzantine frescoes, carved chapels and centuries of monastic life remain etched into the limestone.

Matera bread and Lucanian cooking traditions

Join local bakers and cooks to learn the rituals behind Matera’s PGI bread, handmade pasta, peperoni cruschi and slow Lucanian dishes rooted in the region’s agrarian heritage.

Aglianico tastings and Basilicata landscapes

Venture beyond the Sassi into the surrounding hills for winery visits, olive oil tastings and long lunches that showcase the volcanic wines and agricultural traditions of Basilicata.

Protecting culture & land

At Il Palazzotto, preservation begins with restoration. The ancient cave dwellings and adjoining stone residence have been carefully revived rather than rebuilt, retaining original vaulted ceilings, hand cut limestone walls and carved cistern spaces that safeguard the architectural soul of Matera’s Sassi.

Set within one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited urban landscapes, the stay protects the cultural character of the city by honouring its monastic heritage, artisanal bread traditions and historic stone craftsmanship. Local wines, Lucanian produce and regional makers keep both economic and cultural value rooted in place, while the intimate scale of the retreat helps preserve the quieter rhythm of the old town.

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Location & surroundings

Located in the heart of Basilicata, the area surrounding Il Palazzotto is renowned for its ancient cave settlements, dramatic ravines and the UNESCO protected stone cityscape of Matera’s Sassi.

Hidden within Matera’s historic Sassi district, the retreat opens onto sweeping views of limestone terraces, cave dwellings and the wild Gravina ravine beyond. From its terraces and stone windows, guests look out across layered rooftops, rupestrian churches and the golden panorama that defines one of Italy’s most extraordinary cities.

Key details

Address

Via Sette Dolori, 39
75100 Matera
MT, Italy
e-mail: [email protected]
P.Iva 01292530779

Getting here

By plane: Bari Airport (approx. 50 minutes) or Brindisi Airport (approx. 1 hour 30 mins)

By train: Matera Centrale station (approx. 10 minutes by car or 15 minutes on foot)

Private transfers, guided Sassi tours and countryside winery visits can be arranged

Facilities

Atmospheric breakfast cave, wine cellar tastings and seasonal Lucanian dining experiences

Select suites with private plunge pools carved into the stone

Elegant lounge spaces and rooftop terraces overlooking Matera’s ancient ravine

Curated Sassi tours, cave church visits and artisan food experiences can be arranged

More

Rooms: 10 rooms and suites

Season: Year round

Words from the owners

“Our story begins with a love for Matera and the desire to preserve the quiet beauty of its ancient stone dwellings. Whatever brings you here, whether history, celebration, gastronomy or simple wonder, we hope Il Palazzotto becomes part of your own story of the Sassi.”

Every stay booked direct keeps value with the people of this place, so they can reinvest in culture, community and land

We believe travel should give back more than it takes; that it can protect cultures, not erode them.

That is why we connect you directly with each hotel’s own website. By booking direct, value remains in the hands of those who shape these places, enabling reinvestment into local culture, community, and land.