Italy is an immense country, full of beauties to discover and full of places to visit. There are some, however, that are more hidden. It is a more niche type of tourism, more reserved, dedicated to those people who love the tranquility of the small village but who are interested in discovering Italian culture and traditions. So here is a list of four places that are absolutely worth visiting at least once... and why not, live there!

 

Matera

UNESCO World Heritage site and former European Capital of Culture: Matera is surely a town unlike any others.  Matera is in the region of Basilicata, located in west of Puglia, is a southern secret to discover.

The real hidden treasure can be find in the old part of the town, called Sassi. Here you’ll find houses that seem to be caves, road full of canyons and for sure an atmosphere rich in culture and architecture as well. 

The main two viewing points are Belvedere Piazzetta Pascoli and Belvedere Luigi Gurrigghio, where you can see Sassi from above. Sassi is the name given to the cave networks where the troglodytes used to live. These were used as a dwelling in the Paleolithic Age. Later, the caves of Matera became some sort of slum, in which lived only the poor or the cave worker. This until 1950, when the government relocated these cave dweller to housing spots. In the 1980, the government gave the opportunity to rent the caves for tourist purposes. 

And just like that, now we have the extremely popular Matera cave hotels. 

If you’re here, we higly reccomend to also visit “Chiesa di Santa Maria Idris”, a catholic church located in Sassi. This is carved into the rock just like the houses, into a large limestone cliff in the upper portion of Sasso Caveoso. 

Matera is also a location perfect for the hiking and trekking lovers. Through the Parco Regionale della Murgia Materana you can go two hours hiking in freedom. This portion of countryside is used by sheperds even nowadays; this allow you to appreciate the city from a unique perspective.

 
 
 
 

Procida

Procida has been elected Capital of Culture for the year 2022, and this certainly contributes to giving this magnificent town more artistic, cultural and tourist value. Procida is an island near Naples, and is

known worldwide for its bright colors. Its location is considered strategic for tourists, as it is possible to dock in Naples and then proceed to visit places of historical interest such as the excavations of Pompeii or Herculaneum. Unlike Ischia and Capri, Procida seems to have preserved an atmosphere devoid of tourist interest, and consequently all the activities that are inside are rich in tradition and Neapolitan culture. Throughout the year 2022, more than 150 cultural events were organized, from theatrical performances to public readings, with an active participation also for workshops and initiatives rich in training. More than 350 artists from 45 different cities have come together to realize in Procida one of the biggest events of the last years.

Marina di Corricella is a very romantic viewpoint that will allow you to observe closely the colorful houses of the seventeenth century and the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie Incoronata typically sorbet yellow color. From here you can visit Terra Murata, a medieval fortified village at the highest point of Procida. The main building in Terra Murata is Palazzo d'Avalos, built in 1563 and then transformed into a prison in 1800. In the most panoramic point of Terra Murata you can see the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo dated to the sixteenth century.

Continuing to Terra Murata you can come across Casale Vascello, a small courtyard of traditional houses built in the sixteenth century that show the peculiar architecture of Procida with arched windows and external stairs. Finally, for those interested in the sea, there is Marina Grande. It is the busiest place on the island, where ferries from Ischia and Naples also dock.

 

Castelmezzano

 Hidden in the Lucane Dolomites, in the province of Potenza, Basilicata, we find Castelmezzano: a place that captures the interest even with a glance. The village was founded in the tenth century by a fleeing people. Paolino is the founder of Castelmezzano. It is a shepherd who discovered this place to be able to freely graze his animals and therefore decided to move to a cave.

From the castle with the pointed summit built by Gervasio probably originated the name of the village. Castelmezzano is a medieval village characterized by sandstone houses, set in the rocky basin. One of the most popular activities is definitely the flight of the angel. In fact, a village so characterized by a strong mountain component can only accommodate similar activities. From an artistic point of view, you can visit the remains of the Norman-Swabian fort, equipped with a narrow staircase carved into the rock. From the castle are visible the remains of the walls and a cistern to collect water.

For lovers of typical food it will be a relief to know that coming here during the summer season means being in the town fairs, maybe after a long walk surrounded by nature... In Castelmezzano there are many noble palaces, such as Palazzo De Lama dating back to the second half of the sixteenth century. The palace has always been the center of feudal power, and in general the palace has a messy and labyrinthine air. There is also Palazzo Coiro, behind the Mother Church and built on an irregular plan, developed on four levels with discontinuous trend. The chapel in the Palace welcomed General Borjes, thus saving Castelmazzano from the Bourbons. Between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries was also built Palazzo dei Parrella, built by one of the most important families of the time. Palazzo Paternò was built in the 1920s and is particularly appreciated for its large terrace and garden.

 

Island of Ponza

Ponza is part of a group of islands located in the Tyrrhenian Sea mid-way between Rome and Naples. There you can find a lot of things to do, such as walking in the centre where you can sit in a cafe or in a restaurant. In the Island of Ponza the sunset is a serious thing. This place is perfect for people who just want to relax. There is a very touristic place known as Terrazze Chiaia di Luna, where you can admire the whole gulf, including the island of Palmarola not far away. Throughout the island of Ponza it is possible to observe the work of the Roman architects who, because of the scarcity of water, built an intricate network of aqueducts that you can still visit. They are called Cisterna della Dragonara. One of the best ways to visit the island of Ponza is definitely to rent a boat and take the tour of the island with the latter to enjoy the sea and the calm of solitude; you can cross the Natural Arch and arrive at a gigantic rock formation. This island is also recommended for couples, because it is often called "Island of love", perhaps thanks to its being on the sidelines of the chaos of the city.