V E T E R A M A T E R A
It was 1732 when an order arrived in Matera to take a census of the residents in the Santa Maria La Vetera district, an area that is now part of Sasso Barisano. Today, this historic setting is home to Vetera Matera, the only Five-Star Luxury albergo diffuso affiliated with Relais & Châteaux, located in the heart of the Lucanian capital. This place has been a remarkable meeting point of humanity, nature, ingenuity, and history since the Paleolithic era
A one-of-the-kind albergo diffuso, Vetera Matera, Relais & Châteaux unfolds across multiple levels and offers 23 beautifully designed rooms, including 8 luxurious suites. Guests will find a SPA and wellness center, a restaurant celebrating local flavors, a wine and cocktail bar perched on a panoramic terrace, and a wine cellar dedicated to tastings and terroir discovery. Immaculate service elevates every detail, setting a new benchmark for hospitality in the city. But what makes Vetera Matera, Relais & Châteaux truly unforgettable isn’t just the refined hospitality, the prestige of its rooms and suites, or even the carefully curated food and wine experiences. It is the rare, almost magnetic connection to a place where history, nature, and human ingenuity have intertwined for millennia – where ancient stone walls whisper stories, and the landscape offers a timeless embrace. For centuries, people didn’t just build homes in Matera – they carved them directly into the rock, shaping entire neighborhoods from the stone itself. Through an astonishing feat of instinctive engineering, the men and women who lived here over generations excavated underground spaces to build their homes, raise families, and create a deep sense of community. Vetera Matera is a tribute to that legacy – a place where architecture isn’t just constructed, but uncovered, shaped by time, and preserved with care. It is the essence of luxury, where every architectural choice, piece of furniture, and design detail is born out of profound respect for the depths of the Earth, the surrounding landscape, and the generations who once called this place home – Stefano, Michele, Angela Maria, Maddalena, Francesco, and all those who came before. Staying at Vetera Matera, Relais & Châteaux is about immersing yourself in a place where time slows, history lingers, and the connection between past and present isn’t just seen – it’s felt.
The historic buildings of Vetera Matera date back to the Middle Ages through the 19th century, carefully restored to preserve their timeless charm. Blending effortlessly into the landscape, they feature vaulted ceilings, terracotta floors, weathered facades, and rooftops lined with aged tiles. Winding staircases lead to hidden courtyards and a panoramic wine & cocktail bar terrace, with an internal elevator discreetly connecting the spaces. For those looking to leave behind the rush of everyday life and embrace a slower rhythm, the underground chambers offer a peaceful retreat, carved into the rock over centuries—a quiet sanctuary where time seems to stand still. Higher up, sunlit rooms are bathed in natural light, offering breathtaking views of the Sassi di Matera, where the magic of the landscape unfolds just beyond the windows. And at the heart of it all, communal spaces bring people together – from the SPA and restaurant to the wine & cocktail bar and central courtyard, where the ancient spirit of connection and community that once defined life in the Sassi still lingers. At Vetera Matera, Relais & Châteaux, old-world charm and effortless luxury come together in perfect harmony. Here, tradition is alive – classic recipes are reimagined with creativity, and wellness goes beyond relaxation, offering renewal for both body and mind. Beyond comfort, this is a place of exploration, discovery, and connection -to history, to culture, and to something deeper. More than a hotel, it feels like home – your home in the Sassi.
THE PEOPLE… The vibrant hospitality of Sorrento meets the genuine warmth of Matera. Vetera Matera, Relais & Châteaux was born from a synergy between Bellevue Spa, owned by the Russo Attanasio family (hoteliers for five generations and operators of the prestigious Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento) and the property owner, a visionary and renowned professional from the Matera community, committed to enhancing the historic center through a high profile restoration.
To learn more about Vetera Matera visit http://www.bellevue.it