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The Sassi of Matera are a urban settlement whose origins date back to different forms of civilization, from the prehistoric Neolithic villages to the habitat of the rupestrian civilization and the following Renaissance and Baroque expansion
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They are located on a calcareous bank at a distance of about 150 metres from the Gravina stream. Matera has other interesting cultural sites. The Cathedral, in romanesque style, dates back to the 13th century. It was internally restored in the Baroque period. It houses interesting paintings and wooden works by local artists, among which of great importance is the stone Christmas Crib by Altobello Persio dating back to the 16th century. In the old town centre there are some noteworthy romanesque churches, among which San Giovanni Battista and San Domenico. Along the 17th century area of the town there are other important churches, such as the Churches of San Francesco d'Assisi, Purgatorio and Santa Chiara. Palazzo Lanfranchi, also in baroque style, was originally a seminary. It later became a Classical Lyceum. The poet Giovanni Pascoli taught there for some years. It is now the seat of the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art of Basilicata. Inside you can see an important collection of paintings by the writer Carlo Levi. International exhibitions are organized periodically. The National Museum "Domenico Ridola", built in 1911, contains several archaelogical findings of the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages and collection of findings of the Greek settlements. In the old town there are important palaces such as the Firrao-Giudicepietro or the Palazzodel Sedile. The Tramontano Castle, built by Count Giancarlo Tramontano in the 16th century, is in Aragonese style. It has a central tower and two round side towers characterized by scallops and crenels