Matera - I Sassi Photo

Photographer’s Note

The city is known worldwide for the historic districts Sassi, found in 1993 by UNESCO World Heritage site (first site in southern Italy to receive such recognition). Matera is also known as a city of the Sassi, because of the peculiarities and uniqueness of its historical center. Dug and built close to the Gravina of Matera, a deep gorge that divides the territory into two, the Sassi of Matera, districts that constitute the old part of town, situated in two valleys, which look to the east, compared to slightly under Territories surrounding them separated from the rocky outcrop Civita. This position has made the city actually invisible in the eyes of his enemies for millennia, allowing it to move almost free through centuries of history.
Sasso Barisano, shot in north-west to the edge of the cliff, if we take as reference the Civita, the fulcrum of the old city, is the richest and friezes carved portals that hide the heart underground. Sasso Caveoso, looking instead to the south, is prepared like a Roman amphitheater, with the cave dwellings in descending steps, and perhaps takes its name from the cave and the classical theater. At the center Civita, rocky outcrop that separates the two Sassi, on top of which is home to the Cathedral and the palaces. Together they form the ancient town of Matera declared UNESCO cultural landscape.
The choice of this site, although it has ensured a very safe the community has led to its residents enormous difficulties in water. In fact, the Sassi are on a huge calcarenitico a bench about 150 meters from the level of the stream, while the clay hills that surround them in the west are too distant for a city that was built in order to be defended, was ensure the autonomy within it.
Since the early days then and the people concentrated their energies not so much on the construction of the houses, as the excavation of tanks and scuba divers and associated systems for channeling water.
Seen in this light Matera is one of the oldest and best preserved examples of bio-architecture in the world. A brief analysis of systems, built around water, we show how virtually all cultures and traditions of the oldest building in the world, have many points in common, although centuries and miles to see how the distinct elements.
For an observant eye, seemingly simple structures and rudimentary, as are the marvels of technical efficiency. The humble technical archaic, forgotten by the people, buy a charm and a once unimaginable. The troglodytes who dig canals and tanks, build roof gardens, and around the spaces, now called neighbors share their resources, are at once brilliant human beings. But the beauty is that all this is still present and alive before our eyes in a city, Matera, who has the magic.
For this reason it was chosen as the location for many films including "The Gospel according to Matthew" by P.P. Pasolini and " Passion " by Mel Gibson.

npecanhuk, snunney, dta, lgir, vinicio, Kielia, fulvio52, Clementi, hispic, azaf1, AiresSantos, trekks, bobocortis, COSTANTINO, phwall, TopGeo, mikolaj_kawa, mirarer, argycon, Charo, PaulVDV has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pauloog (7079) 2009-05-11 3:29

Hello Antonio,
A fien view of the city in clear natural colours. Amazing how the authentical look of the city has been maintained. And an interesting note, a real invitation to go there!
Regards,
Paul

npecanhuk (15090) 2009-05-11 3:29

Ciao Antonio!
Great view with the town nestled on that hill!
I only miss a bit of sharpness, but all the other features were ably managed by you!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Arrivederci!
Neyvan

snunney (35780) 2009-05-11 3:44

Hello Antonio,
A fine composition of this lovely hilltop town with its beautiful ochre toned architecture, which is set off well against the blue sky. Very good sharpness.

dta (6476) 2009-05-11 3:48

Ciao Antonio ,
I can understand why this city is a part of Unesco world heritage . The architecture is really outstanding . I like a lot the soft tonalities of the wooden wall , and the little part of blue sky , and greenery in the composition .
A great view .
Bravo

Nicou (46149) 2009-05-11 4:33

Hello,

m,angigique image, ce village est très bien mis en évidences, toute ces maison sollées, quel bel effet, cadrage parfait, grandiose.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

lgir (2845) 2009-05-11 4:43

Hello Antonio,

nice POV and interesting note on this beautiful city.
Good work
Thanks for charing

Regards
Laurent

giorgimer (21616) 2009-05-11 4:45

Ciao Antonio,

questa città mi affascina moltissimo, quando l'ho vista sono rimasto a bocca aperta. Ma...quel giorno avevo dimenticato la macchina fotografica! Imperdonabile! Molto bello il tuo POV, ottimi dettagli.

Bravissimo!

Gio

silviab (1578) 2009-05-11 5:19

Ciao Antonio,
una città, questa, ricca di storia e di fascino, soprattutto nella zona dei sassi. Bello scatto, pulito, ottimo controllo della luce e dei colori.
silvia

cobra112 (11962) 2009-05-11 5:40

Ciao Antonio. Un POV dal taglio eccezioanle così come colori e luce. Non sarei un amico se non ti dicessi che a me sembra mancare didefinizione.

Roberto

anto95 (1828) 2009-05-11 5:42

Ciao Antonio,
fantastico questo HDR con colori caldi, quel fascio d'erba e quel poco di cielo rendono tutto senzazionale!
Antonello

[workshop] [compare]

vinicio (22488) 2009-05-11 5:51

Bella foto di bella qualita' per questo classico di Matera, molto ben fatto, complimenti Antonio.
Ciao
Vinicio

smarcell (14715) 2009-05-11 7:09

NOn ho mai visto Matera (imperdonabile, lo so !).
dalla tua foto mi rendo conto che devo rimediare.
Anche solo dal punto di vista fotografico mi sembra un soggetto fantastico.
Ciao Stefano

lousat (16368) 2009-05-11 7:47

Ciao Antonio,una vista eccezzionale,non penso ci fosse miglior punto per scattare,ottima la luce e i colori pastello,purtroppo e' ancora un po' "pannosa",manca un pochino di definizione....comunque siamo sulla buona strada...eehhehe...complimenti e buona serata,LUCIANO

RedDevil (1071) 2009-05-11 8:34

Ciao Antonio,
Bo, io non la vedo ne pastosa ne poco risoluta, mi piace così com'è.
Salvatore

peppe59 (2304) 2009-05-11 10:13

Ciao Antonio,
guardando la tua foto mi rivedo la mia Ragusa Ibla, questo arrampicarsi delle case nella collina, e tutte le chiese ed i campanili che svettano.Grande scatto, complimenti di cuore.
saluti e buona settimana.
Giuseppe

gilou530 (35952) 2009-05-11 10:15

salut antonio
un sacré village au style particulier avec ces petites fenetres et ces toits qui se melangent excellent cadrage
amitiés
gilbert

Silvio1953 (43316) 2009-05-11 10:50

Ciao Antonio, Gran bella vista sui favolosi sassi, qui a Saso Barisano ci ho passato una notte, ho mangiato da re ed ho avuto la fortuna di una guida competentissima che mi ha accompagnato in un favoloso itinerario, grazie per avermi fatto rivedere questo luogo da favola, bravo, ciao Silvio

Kielia (8799) 2009-05-11 11:57

Hi Antonio,
I have seen all the other images from this fascinating place here and I am very grateful for your excellent POV giving me another very good idea of this settlement. Your note is also outstanding. A contribution in the best spirit of TE!
Warm regards
Harriet

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-05-11 12:53

Ciao, Antonio.
Ah, i mitici sassi di Matera! Io qui ci sono stato solo una volta, di passaggio, la bellezza 37 anni fa, e questa veduta ce l'ho ancora scolpita nella mente... Veduta che tu hai personalizzato alla grande con colori caldi e un'atmosfera sognante, perfettamente intonata alla localita`. Bravissimo! Ti auguro una buona serata, a risentirci. Un abbraccio & una bella birretta alla tua salute,
Fulvio.

ciakgiak (11550) 2009-05-11 13:31

Ciao caro Antonio,
questo è uno di quei posti in cui conto di andare al più presto, e la tua stupenda foto me ne dà una ulteriore conferma. Un paesaggio incantevole che mi fa molto pensare alla mia Ragusa Ibla, colori e POV stupendi.
Un caro abbraccio.
Giorgio

papera (5715) 2009-05-11 13:43

si, ricordo il vangelo secondo Matteo di pasolini e allora come adesso questo paese, ogni volta che ne guardo delle immagini, mi sembra una enclave temporale.
bella panoramica, il cielo lo vedo opposto allo spicchio di verde in basso a dx e cromaticamente lo trovo molto rilassante.
la parte centrale mostra benissimo il paese da una prospettiva frontale.
cris

emka (22701) 2009-05-11 13:47

Hi Antonio,
Wow, I haven't seen something like this. All the houses in the same colour of sand. many beatiful stairs. Life here is probably difficult, always going up and down, but for the tourist very attractive. it looks like in biblical town except the satellite TV. Splendid place. Thanks for sharing

Malgorzata

Clementi (45741) 2009-05-11 14:09

Ciao Antonio,
non so' se e' un effetto voluto, ma la carenza minima di definizione mi piace, i sassi sono sempre meravigliosi, certo e' strano vedere spuntare le parobole anche qui.
ottimo lavoro
Giorgio

chris04stop (2583) 2009-05-11 14:11

Un luogo affascinante e assai più che intrigante. Sembra perduto in un tempo indefinito: senza epoca. Mi stupisce, sai,che come vedo, sia abitato. Avrebbe potuto non esserlo affatto: solo denso di antiche memorie. Ma certo é meglio che la gente viva e renda vivo, giorno dopo giorno, un posto talmente bello!
Anna Paola

hispic (7399) 2009-05-11 20:19

Hello Antonio,
Beautiful composition indeed! the attractive city of Matera is beautifully captured with luminous impression. Cloud at the right also works effectively.
Regards, Hisashi

azaf1 (15615) 2009-05-12 1:28

Ciao Antonio

This is really very impressive. The old settlement, well preserved and nicely framed takes you back in itime. Very nice presentation indeed.

Have a good day and TFS
Argiris

AiresSantos (43202) 2009-05-12 5:53

Ciao Antonio
Fine capture of Matera. Excellent POV and details.
Amazing colours and perfect sharpness
TFs and have a nice day
Aires

rikko77 (6688) 2009-05-12 6:18

Ciao Antonio
colori ben saturi e ottimo sharpness, anche l'inquadratura che hai scelto rende giustizia a questo posto meraviglioso. Bravo!
un saluto
Rikk

trekks (14336) 2009-05-12 8:11

hi Antonio

This view is incredible.

I wonder how rain or waste water would be relieved down the slopes?

But this scenery really makes a fine view to the eye. A beautiful place. Good work.

tfs, bill

bobocortis (14146) 2009-05-12 10:06

Ciao Antonio.
I parametri tecnici (definizione, esposizione, saturazione) sono a posto.
Anche se manca un elemento in primo piano che crei profondità, l'immagine è godibilissima e con una appena accennata ma opportuna prospettiva.
Ciao.
Bobo.

COSTANTINO (23425) 2009-05-12 11:04

Ciao Antonio,

Bella foto di una splendida citta
che ho visitato due volte,
mi piacce tanto, bel POV e colori naturali,
molto interesante note,
complimenti,
salutoni,

Costantino

rodgerg (25435) 2009-05-12 11:42

Ciao Caro Antonio,

Una molto bella cità, una molto bella vista con in'inquadratura, una bella armonia nei colori e una composizione ben equilibrata con una bella diagonale. I detagli della città e delle sue case sono ben captati.Belle piccole nuvole sulla destra.
Amicize,
Roger

Fis2 (46651) 2009-05-12 13:47

Witaj Antonio!
A very interesting place.
Good POV and composition.
I likre the colors an light.Excellent shot.
Pozdrawiam
Krzysztof

phwall (5811) 2009-05-12 16:48

Ciao Antonio,
A fine capture of this wonderful town, during a trip to Italy a couple of years ago I had the pleasure of visiting this historic place.
Unfortunately for me my shot is nowhere as good as this one of yours.
A very well chosen POV, gives us a superb view, the earthy tones of the buildings against the clear blue sky looks amazing.
Very well done, congratulations.
Thank you for a well written and informative note.
Regards
Peter

TopGeo (22457) 2009-05-12 23:08

Hello Antonio,They is a architecture that impress the uniformity and the narrow concentration of houses and the absence of green are impressively! Your good idea
Georgios

mikolaj_kawa (31773) 2009-05-13 0:35

Ciao Antonio! Excellent point of view, marvelous cityscape. Superb lightness and colours. Splendid work. Good luck!

aadilj (17950) 2009-05-13 1:29

Intense and rivetting. This composition Antonio has class and elan. I love the earth and stone hues and love the amount you have been able to apck into a single frame with such beauty

luighi (4308) 2009-05-13 9:39

Hi my friend , espectacular y atractiva imagen Antonio. Fantastica y muy equilibrada composicion con unos colores y texturas muy originales, te felicito .
Un saludo.
Luis

mirarer (4445) 2009-05-13 10:46

Ciao Antonio,
Da quando ho letto il libro di Carlo Levi "Cristo si è fermato a Eboli" ho avuto voglia di conoscere Matera. Forse l´anno prossimo!.
Molto bella.
Auguri,
Mirari

argycon (2749) 2009-05-14 23:26

Hi Antonio,
Excellent presentation of such a beautiful place!
Superb framing with the green on bottom and the blue sky on top! Great shot!!!!
tfs
Friendly
Kostas

bracasha75 (22507) 2009-05-15 11:01

Hi Antonio
I have first time hear for Matera and first time i see this beautiful place with intresthing architecture
Cheers,Braca

Charo (32086) 2009-05-21 16:36

Buona sera Antonio,
Una bella villa, ci fa tornare indietro nel tempo. Mi piace il colore delle loro case che sono perfettamente integrate nel paesaggio. Un visione molto attraente, con grande prospettiva.
Un caro saluto,
Charo

PaulVDV (5447) 2009-06-20 11:26

Ciao Antonio,
This must be a very fascinating town to visit.
I like this picture with the road turning around the hill on which we find a labyrinth of old houses all in the same colour, the colour of the rock.
Best regards, Paul

sacavem (8635) 2009-10-27 10:48

Olá Antonio,

Excellent postcard from Matera.Good work to capture this image.Excellent composition, very nice colours.
Regards,
Filipe

Bergenphotos (663) 2009-10-31 4:26

Hi Antonio.
This is an ideal South European village to me. The hills with the buildings have a wonderful colour, and I especially like the well chosen POV and the very describing note.

Regards from Norway.