Matera: Difference between revisions

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Matera lies on the right bank of the [[Gravina (river)|Gravina]] river, whose [[canyon]] forms a geological boundary between the hill country of Basilicata (historic [[Lucania]]) to the south-west and the [[Altopiano delle Murge|Murgia]] plateau of [[Apulia]] to the north-east.{{sfn|Toxey|2011|p=17}} The city began as a complex of cave habitations excavated in the softer [[limestone]] on the gorge's western, Lucanian face.{{sfn|Toxey|2011|p=23}} It took advantage of two streams which flow into the ravine from a spot near the Castello Tramontano, reducing the cliff's angle of drop and leaving a defensible narrow promontory in between. The central high ground, or [[acropolis]], supporting the city's cathedral and administrative buildings, came to be known as Civita, and the settlement districts scaling down and burrowing into the sheer rock faces as the Sassi. Of the two streambeds, called the ''{{ill|grabiglioni|it}}'', the northern hosts Sasso Barisano (facing [[Bari]]) and the southern Sasso Caveoso (facing [[Montescaglioso]]).{{sfn|Toxey|2011|p=24–25}}