Photo spot in Matera
The Murgia belvedere, across the ravine
The one viewpoint that holds all of Matera in a single frame — the whole city on its cliff, seen from the empty side of the Gravina.
About The Murgia belvedere, across the ravine
Get directionsFrom Murgia Timone, on the far rim of the canyon, the Sassi rise as one continuous face of stone with the cathedral tower on top and the ravine dropping away in front. Nothing built is in the way, so it is the frame for the wide picture: two people on the rock, the city behind, and no fence, sign or café in the shot.
It is a twenty-minute drive round by road, or a footpath down through the ravine and back up the other side — which is a proper walk of over an hour, on rock, and not something to do in the middle of the day in summer. The road is the sensible option for a session.
Dawn puts the light on the city and leaves the viewpoint in shade, which is exactly the right way round. At night the Sassi light up amber and the whole face glows, so a session that starts an hour before sunset and stays past dusk gets two completely different pictures from one spot.
Best time to shoot
Sunrise for light on the city; the hour after sunset for the lit Sassi
Tips
Go round by road unless everyone is dressed for an hour of rocky path. There is no shade and no water at the viewpoint — bring both in summer.
Other spots in Matera
Piazza Duomo and the cathedral terrace
The highest point of the Civita, where the town ends in a balcony over the Sasso Barisano and the roofs run downhill from your feet.
Sasso Caveoso and Santa Maria de Idris
The oldest, rawest half of the city: cave façades, staircases cut into rock, and a church sitting on top of a boulder above it all.
Belvedere Luigi Guerricchio
A small terrace at Piazzetta Pascoli where the whole Sasso Caveoso opens below — the postcard view, two minutes from the main street.
Ready to book?
Our concierge team will hand-pick 2-3 photographers who know The Murgia belvedere, across the ravine — free of charge.