Via Bruno Buozzi winds through Matera’s Sasso Caveoso, among pale stone houses, cave dwellings and stairways that climb the hillside. More a street than a distinct neighbourhood, it offers a close-up view of the Sassi’s layered architecture, with glimpses across the Gravina ravine and access to some of Matera’s rock-hewn churches.
The street is named after Bruno Buozzi, an Italian trade unionist killed in 1944. Its surroundings tell another important story: the Sassi were once densely inhabited, and many families lived in cave homes without adequate sanitation. Residents were relocated from the 1950s onwards; later restoration brought new life to the historic quarters, which became part of a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993.
Via Bruno Buozzi is worth walking for the way ordinary doors and terraces sit alongside the remarkable forms of the rock itself. Follow it towards Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, pause to look over the ravine, or visit a cave house to understand how people once lived here. The street has restaurants and visitor attractions, so expect company, particularly in the middle of the day.
Come early or near sunset for softer light and cooler walking, especially in summer. Wear shoes with good grip: the stone paving and connecting steps can be uneven or slippery. The Sassi are easiest to explore on foot, and vehicle access is restricted in parts of the historic centre, so check local rules before driving in.