Matera - an unexpected gem

In our journey from Vieste on the Adriatic sea to Sorrento on the Mediterranean sea, we stopped and spent the night in Matera.  Why?   Mainly because it was the only town half way between the seas that is noted by one of our favorite travel bloggers, so we decided to take a chance - and it is simply magnificent.    Matera is well in tact and dates back to 300 BC under Roman rule.  This photo was shot with my iPhone, and while it doesn't do justice to the depth of this city, it definitely provides a glimpse of what a gem this city is: