Sassi in Miniatura (Sassi in Miniature), Matera

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Sassi in Miniatura (Sassi in Miniature), Matera

Sassi in Miniatura (Sassi in Miniature), Matera

Sassi in Miniatura is a workshop and museum of miniature limestone models of old Matera. The workshop/museum is located on Fiorentini Street in the Sasso Barisano district. It is near the Matera Cathedral, the Tramontano Castle, and the Ridola Museum.

Starting in 1996, artist Eustachio Rizzi worked for three years creating the Sassi in Miniatura, a handmade scale model of Matera carved in tuff stone. The model covers 129 square feet and weighs about 3,500 pounds. The museum/workshop also displays and has on sale tuff stone objects and souvenirs.

Here are the streets, stairs, farmhouses, neighborhoods, balconies, and a miniature village with lighted churches, homes, and caves once the domiciles of people and animals. All are exact, done with Rizzi's optimistic skill. The corners of the Caveoso and Barisano districts, the alleys, and the mule paths unite the present with the past.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Matera. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Sassi in Miniatura (Sassi in Miniature) on Map

Sight Name: Sassi in Miniatura (Sassi in Miniature)
Sight Location: Matera, Italy (See walking tours in Matera)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Matera, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Matera

Create Your Own Walk in Matera

Creating your own self-guided walk in Matera is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Matera's Ancient Cave Churches

Matera's Ancient Cave Churches

Within the old city of Matera, there are more than 160 churches. Many of these are actually carved into the soft limestone cliffs lining the Gravina River. There are even some used for pagan rituals. The churches were carved from existing caves and tunnels. More than a few sanctified cave churches have been converted to storage and homes.

A good example to start with is the St. Anthony...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Matera Introduction Walking Tour

Matera Introduction Walking Tour

Architectural historian Anne Parmly Toxey said the cave areas of Matera had been occupied for at least 3,000 years. There have been settlements in Matera since the Paleolithic era.

The town itself was founded in 251 BC by Roman consul Lucius Caecilius Metellus. He called it Matheola. Subsequently, the town was occupied by Longobards, Byzantines, Saracens, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, and...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles