Hotel San Giorgio Matera Albergo Diffuso nei Sassi

Useful Information

Location:	Via Fiorentini 259, Matera. ()
Open:	not yet open. [2008]
Fee:	not yet open. [2008]
Classification:	Cave House
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	19 rooms.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Hotel San Giorgio Matera Albergo Diffuso nei Sassi, Via Fiorentini 259, 75100, Matera, . E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1993	inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
OCT-2008	opened to the public.

Description

The Hotel San Giorgio Matera Albergo Diffuso nei Sassi is built into 2,000 year old caves, which were restored according to the standards of the Archaeological Department. The 10 rooms have natural stone walls, open fireplaces and antique furniture. The five star hotel is a very luxurious way to life for a short time in a cave.

The city of Matera is famous for virtually thousands of artificial caves. The soft rock is ideal for cutting caves, the climate is so warm that the caves have an ideal temperature and climate all over the year. However, during the 20th century the caves became a bad reputation, as they were used primarily by the poor people. Rumours about diseases caused by the cave led to the relocation of the inhabitants during the mid 20th century. But in the beginning of the 21st century increasing energy costs made the caves an ideal low cost alternative to normal housing, as neither heating in winter nor air conditioning in summer is necessary. During the last years many caves in the city were renovated and are now used for housing, shops, and workshops. This hotel is so far the most luxurious cave in Italy we know of.