Matera is famous for two things: being the most extensive troglodyte community in the Mediterranean and for the fact that Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of Christ' was filmed here.

It is a very impressive sight and probably the best view is from out of the city up on the hill overlooking the ravine, thanks to the Lonely Planet for that advice (it is also the place where the crucifixion part of the film was set.)

After seeing our fair share of churches and cathedrals in Italy, I have to say that we both found one of Matera's churches to be the most original and fascinating. It is of course, like the rest of the city, built into the rock face and being in a cave it definitely adds to the spiritual effect.