Matera

Before we went on this trip, Chiara's aunt Raffaella told us that since we were going to be near them, we couldn't miss the "Sassi di Matera" which is a settlement in one of the earth's oldest cities.  It was built long long ago into caves in the limestone cliffs, and slowly the caves were added onto, with houses built around them.  There were people living in open caves as late as the 1950's; in post-war Italy, there was a lot of poverty and disease here.  It was eventually cleaned up, and now people live in houses.  When we first got there, we arrived in the new city, which is up on top of a canyon. We couldn't even see the "Sassi" (stones, or caves).  We walked around a little, and then found what we thought was the main attraction.  See the first photo. To me, it just looked like an old city on a hill.  We decided to keep going to see what the fuss was about...

Some of the Sassi di Matera. Behind many of these doors, the houses go back into caves in the canyon wall.

 Ummm...here's what all the fuss is about. This is a massive canyon with lot's more cave homes built into it.

 James and the kids overlooking the Sassi di Matera

 Looking at the other side of the canyon. Do you see the old caves back there? There were people trekking around over on the other side (can you see them?) but we didn't have time to go check it out...

 Chiara and Susannah in Matera

A model of Matera

After Matera, we had a long day of driving (down to the toe of the boot) planned.  As if on cue, the weather was cloudy and rainy!  On the way to our next overnite spot, Tropea, we saw this scene.  I liked how this mountain range just popped out of the plains.

James pulled off the highway so I could get a photo of the mountains. 

Next stop, SICILY!!!