25 Beautiful Religious Towns Around the World To Add To Your Bucket List

25. Matera, Italy: A City Carved by Faith and Time

Often referred to as the "Subterranean City," Matera, Italy, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient cave dwellings ("Sassi") that have been continuously inhabited for millennia. Its profound spiritual significance is woven into its very fabric, with cave churches adorned with Byzantine frescoes. Matera's "secret" is its dramatic, almost biblical landscape, which has served as a backdrop for films like "The Passion of the Christ." Exploring its labyrinthine alleys and ancient churches provides an immersive journey into human resilience and enduring faith, making it a unique and deeply spiritual destination.