The Vetera Matera is a new must-visit in one of the world&rsquo;s oldest cities. With rock-carved suites, a subterranean spa, and elevated Lucanian cuisine, this Relais &amp; Ch&acirc;teaux stay offers a truly unique experience.

A city nestled in the tuff rock, with the sharp light of the South and a history seemingly carved with a chisel. Matera&mdash;the location for films that have shaped cinematic history, such as&nbsp;The Gospel According to St. Matthew, The Passion of the Christ, and No Time to Die&mdash;lives within the imagination as the embodiment of a harsh and primitive sacredness. Yet, before the silver screen made it epic, it was a marginal city, forgotten for centuries due to the successful dominations that dominated Southern Italy, squeezed as it is between major cities like Naples, Salerno, and Bari. Only in the 18th century, when it became the capital of Basilicata, did the palaces, churches, and Baroque decorations arrive, with nobles and prelates competing to build the finest residences.

One of the terraces of the Vetera Matera, Relais & Châteaux. Photo courtesy Courtesy of Press Office.

Underground room with a stone barrel vault and minimal design

However, the true soul of Matera lies in its Sassi. The cave dwellings, which were carved into the rock over millennia and inhabited until the 1960s, have been a <a href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/670/">UNESCO World Heritage Site</a> since 1993. And it is precisely here that <a href="https://www.veteramatera.com/en/?adblast=1277083417&amp;vbadw=1277083417&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22186106095&amp;gbraid=0AAAAA-v2RmQvz1mhwI15fevWY44ohM9G1&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqfuS-ZnOjgMVkkr_AR3IdjiKEAAYASAAEgJIffD_BwE">Vetera Matera, Relais &amp; Ch&acirc;teaux</a> was born, a project of widespread hospitality by sisters Amelia and Adda Attanasio, heirs of the Sorrentine Russo Attanasio lineage. The sisters dedicated their lives to hotel savoir-faire for generations, making it the new focal point of cultured, refined, and international tourism.

Il Vetera Matera, Relais & Châteaux. Photo courtesy of Press Office.

In a masterful balance of ancestral ruggedness and minimalist design, each suite and room is unique, nestled between the Sassi and noble palaces, a structure dotted with terraces, intertwining staircases, and offering spectacular views of ochre sunsets. An eight-year restoration&nbsp;project, spanning from&nbsp;architecture to interior design, was overseen by NCB Architettura. At the same time,&nbsp;the strategic direction of the spaces bears the signature of architect&nbsp;Libia Cuomo, who acted&nbsp;as brand facility manager. Most apparent, however, is the almost sartorial care with which the Attanasio sisters have approached every detail to make this corner of the Sasso Barisano a five-star luxury destination not to be missed when visiting the Lucanian city.

The 5 Star Luxury Hotel Vetera Matera, Relais & Châteaux. Photo courtesy of Press Office.

In addition to a mandatory city tour of the Sassi and the Baroque quarter, there are splendid underground churches and their frescoes, which encompass centuries of history, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, in a rich palimpsest. Matera is the ideal base for exploring the surrounding region, such as Altamura, with its bakeries that produce one of the most beloved breads in the country. Or the oldest active printing house in Europe, Tipografia Portoghese, an unmissable destination for lovers of the printed word. Gravina, with its stone bridges suspended over the karst ravine. And then there are the Apulian coasts, from Monopoli to Fasano, reachable in just over an hour. In summer, Matera is a favorite destination as a hub or stop on a vacation in the most authentic part of southeastern Italy.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">The Suites Combine Contemporary Design with Living Stone.&nbsp;</h3>

The rooms at Vetera Matera, in a constant play of light and shadow, blend original stone with the best of contemporary Italian design. While some underground suites are spread over two levels, with a private mini spa where water was once stored, in others, a window opening onto the shower overlooks the entire city, transforming an everyday gesture into a poetic ritual. A total of 23 rooms, including eight suites, are spread across the various buildings.

The suites and rooms of the 5-star luxury Hotel Vetera Matera, Relais & Châteaux. Photo courtesy of Press Office.

<h3>The Artema Restaurant Reflects Local Cuisine. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>

The Artema del Vetera Matera restaurant welcomes guests into an underground setting where Lucanian tradition meets creative, seasonal cuisine with Neapolitan roots, created by Chef Eduardo Estatico. Unmissable dishes include orecchiette with turnip greens, broad bean and chicory pur&eacute;e, fish, Senise cruschi peppers, and Lucanian cheeses. The wine list emphasizes local labels, but also includes international selections stored in the scenic cellar, which is carved into the rock, where customized tastings can be booked. At sunset, the panoramic terrace transforms into the vibrant heart of the wine &amp; cocktail bar with breathtaking views of the Sassi.

Private room at the Artema restaurant at the 5-star luxury Hotel Vetera Matera, Relais & Châteaux. Photo courtesy of Press Office.

Gourmet dish from Vetera cuisine. Photo courtesy of Press Office.

The central courtyard of the 5-Star Luxury Hotel Vetera Matera, Relais & Châteaux. Photo courtesy of Press Office.

<h3 style="text-align: center;">Wellness Meets Contemplation at Spa Elysium.&nbsp;</h3>

The Elysium Spa, created in a cave, is a small sensory masterpiece: calidarium, tepidarium, Turkish bath, sauna, and massage cabins interact with the living stone, while the rooftop solarium looks out over a seemingly suspended point in the sky. This allows guests one of the most spectacular views they have to offer, overlooking the Sassi.&nbsp;

Inside The Vetera Matera, Italy’s Secret Boutique Stay in the Heart of the Sassi

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