Matera, home to UNESCO World Heritage-listed limestone tufa cave houses, was once seen as a national shame after the evacuation of its residents in the 1950s. The town is now a cultural magnet, having featured in several prominent films, notably Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ,' which brought it to international attention. Matera became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and in 2019, it was selected as a European Capital of Culture, further elevating its standing as a tourist destination.
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed limestone tufa cave houses of Matera have attracted filmmakers and tourists due to their rich cultural and historical significance.
In 1952, the Italian government evacuated 20,000 residents from Matera due to unsanitary living conditions, branding the town 'la vergogna nazionale' or 'the shame of the nation'.
Matera's cinematic appeal grew in the 1960s, featuring in films like Pier Paolo Pasolini's 'The Gospel According to St. Matthew' and Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ'.
In 2019, Matera was designated one of two European Capitals of Culture, greatly increasing its international prominence and tourism.
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