The Real-Life Flintstones Village: Sassi di Matera 9,000-Year-Old Italy Still Inhabited

Sassi di Matera, which teeters on the edge of a steep ravine in Italy's south, dates back 9,000 years and is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited cave city in the world. The Unesco-protected Sassi district is part of Matera city and has been carved into the rock of a towering gorge that was formed by a large river. After WWII, cave residents were reluctantly moved from their crumbling homes (top left) into more modern abodes in the Matera town on the cliff. While many of the ancient chambers lie abandoned and forgotten, the settlement's prospects were hugely boosted by Unesco naming it a World Heritage site in 1993. Several caves have been given a new lease of life and transformed into cosy homes (far right), and hotels and restaurants to cater for waves of inquisitive tourists, eager to find out why Unesco was so impressed.

[@elainemcmurren8678]

Why did you put that stupid pounding noise in your video? You completely ruined it. 👎🏻

[@mariagraziaamore3229]

Io ci sono stata un anno fa e ci devo ritornare perché di Matera mi è piaciuto tutto!!♥️♥️♥️