Matera, 2019 European Capital of Culture

"The Sassi and Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera represent an outstanding example of a rock-cut settlement, adapted perfectly to its geomorphological setting and ecosystem and exhibiting continuity over more than two millenia." UNESCO World Heritage Site Criterion (iii)

Sassi Barisano

Matera was once called "the shame of Italy". This city in the Basilicata region in Southern Italy is one of the oldest inhabited settlements in the world. It was depopulated in the 1950s due to the wretched and unhealthy living conditions of its residents. It continues to be rehabilitated today and has been named one of two European Capital of Culture for 2019, an honor it received over other finalists like Perugia, Ravenna and Siena.

San Pietro Barisano

San Pietro Barisano is the largest rupestrian church in Matera. It's possible to see the 12-13th century rupestrian structure under the church floor where the extensive passageways are extremely narrow and feels claustrophobic.

The altars above ground were stripped bare (many works of art were stolen from the church in the 60s and 70s after the exodus of residents to better housing) with the exception of the altar of Santa Maria della Conciliazione which has a stone image of Mary being crowned by angels and holding the child Jesus. Behind the altar is a sunken chapel with frescoes of saints and the Annunciation from the 15th-16th centuries.

There is a 3 euro entrance fee to the church which is now a museum. Taking photos inside the church is forbidden. Via Lanera 14.

There are two sassi districts in Matera, Barisano and Caveoso. The images here were taken in the Sasso Barisano. Sassi in Italian is defined as stone. The cave dwellings in Matera were hewn into the rock. In the photo above, a courtyard has been decorated with plants and flowers, a happy contrast from the cold stone structures.

Looking down at the ancient settlement and signs of modern day life.

Winding cobblestone streets remind me of the crèche I used to see at Christmas when I was a child. Matera embodies the characteristics of what Bethlehem may have been during the birth of Jesus so much so that it was the setting for the movie, The Nativity Story. The Passion of Christ was also filmed in Matera.

On Piazza Vittorio Veneto, you can see and explore underground cisterns or stop at a belvedere for a sweeping view of the sassi.

How to get there from Bari:
From Bari Nord Station (next door to Bari Centrale), take the Ferrovia Appulo Lucane (FAL) train to Matera. One way fare in January 2018 was 4.90 euros and it takes approximately 2 hours to get there. Check the posted schedule for times of departure and purchase a ticket that doesn't require a transfer along the way. There is a ticket office on the ground floor at Bari Nord. The train station in Matera is about a 5-minute walk from Piazza Vittorio Veneto and Sassi Barsino. Matera Centrale has a small waiting room upstairs. Otherwise, go downstairs to the train tracks to wait for your train.

Where to eat:
Il Cantuccio Ristorante on Via delle Beccherie 33.
Ordered the orechiette pasta which is typical of the Apulia region. Efficient and friendly service. They didn't rush me though it was closing time.

*****

Images by TravelswithCharie

Filipino Struggles in History - Carlos Botong Francisco

In 1968, Antonio Villegas (then Mayor of Manila), commissioned Carlos "Botong" Francisco to paint the history of Manila for Manila City Hall. The series of large scale paintings was called Kasaysayan ng Maynila (History of Manila). The paintings deteriorated over time and no attempt was made to preserve these historical canvases until 2013 when Mayor Amado Lim sent them to the National Museum for extensive restoration. Four years later, in 2017, Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada and the Manila City Council signed an agreement with the National Museum to leave the paintings at the museum so they may reach a larger audience in exchange for museum grade reproductions to replace the originals. Kasaysayan ng Maynila was later renamed Filipino Struggles in History and is now on display at the Senate Hall of the National Museum . Carlos "Botong" Francisco died in March 1969, a few months after completing the paintings. He is one of the first Filipino modernists and

The Art of Carlos Botong Francisco - Progress of Medicine in the Philippines

Pre-colonial period Pag-unlad ng Panggagamot sa Pilipinas (The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines) is a group of four large-scale paintings depicting healing practices in the Philippines from pre-colonial times to the modern period. Carlos Botong Francisco was commissioned in 1953 by Dr. Agerico Sison who was then the director of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) together with Dr. Eduardo Quisumbing of the National Museum, Dr. Florentino Herrera, Jr. and Dr. Constantino Manahan. These oil on canvas paintings measure 2.92 meters in height and 2.76 meters in width (9.71 ft x 8.92 ft) and were displayed at the main entrance hall of PGH for over five decades. Owing to its location, the artworks were in a state of "severe deterioration" at the beginning of the 21st century from exposure to heat, humidity, dirt, dust, smoke, insect stains, grime, termites and an oxidized synthetic resin used in an earlier restoration. These canvases were restored three times, the last was

8 Heritage Houses of Iloilo

Lizares Mansion The province of Iloilo on the island of Panay has a rich trove of heritage houses, left over from the sugar industry boom in the 19th century. Iloilo also had the largest port in the Philippines at that time which facilitated the export of sugar to foreign shores and deposited money in the hands of the sugar barons. The barons dropped their earnings into the acquisition of properties in Negros and the construction of beautiful homes in Iloilo, many of which are located in the vicinity of the Jaro Cathedral. The Lizares Mansion was built in 1937 by Don Emiliano Lizares for his wife, Concepcion Gamboa and five children. The family fled to safety when World War II broke out and the house was occupied by the Japanese military. The family returned to the house after the war but left once again after the demise of Don Emiliano. It was sold to the Dominican order in the 1960s and was converted in 1978 to a private school, Angelicum School. The mansion now houses the

TravelswithCharie

Search This Blog