Casa Cava
An underground auditorium and cultural center carved from a historic tuff quarry in the heart of Matera’s UNESCO-listed Sassi district.
At a glance
Casa Cava occupies 900 square meters across ten rooms within a deep underground chamber in the Sassi di Matera. The space functions as a multipurpose venue: concert hall, theater, exhibition gallery, and conference center. Its auditorium seats 140 people and has earned international recognition in architecture publications for its exceptional acoustics and singular design.
History
The site originated as a tuff quarry, likely dating to around 1663, when Matera became capital of Basilicata and urban development surged in the Sassi. The quarry, now more than 15 meters deep, was accessed through caves that were gradually deepened and linked to the main chamber over centuries.
After quarrying ceased, the space served multiple purposes. Front rooms became a small courtyard house, while the quarry itself—separated by a wall—was used as a landfill before being abandoned entirely. This phase of neglect ended with recent restoration efforts that transformed the site into a thriving cultural venue.
What you see
The underground chamber impresses through scale and stone. Visitors descend through interconnected caves to reach the main quarry space, where the auditorium has been installed with meticulous attention to acoustical detail. The architectural intervention carefully preserves the geological character while introducing modern functionality, creating a unique hybrid between ancient extraction site and contemporary performance space.
Cultural significance
Casa Cava exemplifies Matera’s transformation from abandonment to cultural renaissance. As the world’s only underground exhibition space of this scale, it symbolizes the city’s historical trajectory—from ancient settlement through decline to contemporary creative recovery. Its presence within the Sassi, themselves a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993, underscores the district’s ongoing importance as a living cultural center.
Key facts
- Address: Via S. Pietro Barisano, Matera
- Coordinates: 40.6691535, 16.609423
- Size: 900 square meters, ten rooms, auditorium capacity 140
- Website: www.casacava.it
- Phone: +39 0835 336733
Practical information
Casa Cava operates as a cultural venue hosting concerts, theater productions, exhibitions, and conferences. Programming varies; check the official website for current events and visiting hours. The venue welcomes tourists as part of the broader Sassi experience.
Getting there
Casa Cava is located in the Sassi di Matera district. The venue is accessible via Via S. Pietro Barisano. For detailed directions and parking information in this medieval quarter, consult the official website or contact the center directly.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →Historical events at this place (6)
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