Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita: Living History in Matera’s Cavernous Heart
Staircases cut in soft tufa, shadows dancing against stone, whispered histories echoing in vaulted ceilings: staying at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita is like sleeping inside Matera’s memory. It’s a place where ancient caves have been revived—not as museums, but as living rooms, sanctuaries, and romantic hideaways.
Ancient Stones, Modern Comforts
Imagine opening a heavy wooden door into a cave that’s been home. The rough tufa walls remain; the cool stone embraces you. Yet there’s warmth: candles, fireplaces, soft bedding, elegant minimalist décor that honors the past while offering refined luxury.
Unique Rooms & the Power of Place
Each of the 18 cave rooms or suites is individual - some carved deep, others elevated with terraces. Selected suites are expansive and romantic, with fireplaces, panoramic outlooks, or multi-level layouts that let you take in views of the ravine, the Parco della Murgia, and the Civita itself. Walking between rooms and shared spaces feels more like exploring a labyrinthine village than staying in a hotel.
Dining & Dawn over the Ravine
Breakfast: quaint, generous, local. Chocolatey breads, olive oils, cheeses, seasonal fruit, pastries - served in the ancient crypt/church or terrace, with soft dawn light and the distant silhouette of Matera’s chimneys and stone alleys. Dinners are more intimate - by special arrangement, perhaps private, candle-lit in the cave church or terrace.
Cultural Immersion & Location Magic
The hotel sits on Via Civita 28. You’re in the Sassi district - one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places. Within minutes on foot you can be at the Cathedral, wandering the Sassi, peeking into rock churches, or sitting at a terrace overlooking the Gravina Gorge and Murgia National Park. The setting feels remote yet intimately connected to Matera’s beating heart.
Why This Stay Resonates
For travellers wanting something unique: this isn’t just sleep, it’s place.
Romance, reflection, slow mornings, quiet nights in candlelight.
Ideal for photographers, culture lovers, history seekers.
Be ready for uneven terrain, stairs, and the fact that “rustic” here is part of the charm—not a fault.
Official website: https://www.sextantio.it/legrottedellacivita/matera/
