Matera is an ancient city and its origin is lost in prehistory. For the substrate consisting of living in caves dug into the tufa rock is known as the "underground city" and for the continuity of life from the Paleolithic to the present day is considered one of the oldest in the world. For the first nomadic peoples which appeared on Murgia was followed by other pastoralists who stared around the water tank called provident Lurio, and mainly on Timone, Murgecchia and on the hill of the "Civita", occupying caves and villages in organizing entrenched. In a succession of freedom and awe with the various stories of redemption and sales, Matera, who was part of the Terra d'Otranto, in 1663 was chosen as the seat of the Royal Audience of Basilicata, and aggregate this region, it remained the capital until 1806. Since 1927 was again raised to the provincial capital now consists of 31 communes. It currently has about 55,000 inhabitants. The town is located 401 m s.l.m. and is only 45 km from the sea.