Sassi di Matera
Sassi di Matera in the Basilicata region of Italy is famous for its ancient troglodytic houses that have been dug out of limestone.
People have been living in the these dwellings for over 9000 years, making it one of the longest continuously inhabited settlements on earth.
Sassi di Matera sits on the edge of a ravine in one of the driest parts of Italy. There are over a thousand dwellings including a large number of shops and restaurants. Sassi di Matera houses are built on top of each other with the roofs of some acting as streets for those above. Houses are connected by a labyrinth of narrow alleyways. The area has 7 limestone carved churches including Chiesa di San Pietro Caveoso. From afar the scene looks like a Cubist painting. On the street level it looks like a scene from Biblical times.
Productions shot in Sassi di Matera include No Time to Die (2021), Wonder Woman (2017), Ben-Hur (2016), Quantum of Solace (2008), The Omen (2006), and The Passion of the Christ (2004).
Sassi di Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sassi Office and Municipality of Matera regulate the use of the site for filming purposes. Filming and photography that requires exclusive use of public space require permits.
Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport is the closest entry point by air. From there it’s a 1 hour drive to Sassi di Matera.
There are many local hotel, B&B, and restaurant options for visiting productions.
Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking to film at Sassi di Matera, or anywhere else in Southern Italy, and require a fixer or production service company to help arrange permits and production, please contact us. We are also able to recommend locally based shooting crew from nearby Bari, Naples and Rome, including directors, photographers, videographers, and cameramen.
