Sasso Barisano is one of the two historic Sassi neighbourhoods of Matera, in southern Italy’s Basilicata region. Its stone lanes and staircases wind between church façades, palazzi and cave dwellings carved into soft calcarenite. More built-up than neighbouring Sasso Caveoso, it is now home to residents, workshops, restaurants and small hotels.
The Sassi preserve evidence of human settlement stretching back thousands of years. Communities adapted to the dry landscape with cisterns, channels and shared courtyards, but by the mid-20th century overcrowding and poor sanitation had led to a government programme that relocated residents to new housing. After decades of neglect, the area gradually revived; the Sassi and Matera’s rock-hewn churches were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993.
The pleasure of visiting Sasso Barisano is in exploring its layers on foot: a vaulted passage may open onto a rooftop view, while an ornate church portal can lead to a rock-cut interior. Look for local workshops and places serving Basilicata specialities, and linger into the evening when lamps pick out the contours of the stone streets.
The neighbourhood is an easy walk downhill from Piazza Vittorio Veneto, and a car is unnecessary; access by vehicle within the Sassi is restricted. Wear shoes with good grip for the uneven steps and cobbles, which can be slippery after rain, and allow energy for the climb back up. Spring and autumn are comfortable times to visit, while early mornings offer cooler, quieter walks in summer.