Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita
A cave hotel carved into the ancient Sassi di Matera — UNESCO World Heritage Site — with a 13th-century deconsecrated church, organic cuisine, and rooms in prehistoric cave dwellings.
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Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita is one of the most extraordinary hotels in the world — guest rooms carved into prehistoric cave dwellings in the Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on earth. The sister property to Sextantio Albergo Diffuso in Abruzzo, this Matera outpost applies the same philosophy of faithful restoration: stone floors worn smooth by millennia of use, thick sedimentary walls bearing the marks of ancient habitation, and furnishings chosen to honour rather than disguise the caves' raw antiquity. At its heart is a 13th-century deconsecrated church — an astonishing setting for intimate wedding celebrations in a city that feels like stepping into another age entirely.
Pricing guide
We share a guide figure upfront so you can assess fit before enquiring — tailored quotes are provided directly by the venue.
Venue hire
Indicative pricing — varies by season, guest count, and scope. Tailored quotes available on request.
Get a tailored quoteUnderstanding the quote
Final pricing is shaped by a handful of key factors. Understanding these helps you plan a realistic budget before your first conversation with the venue.
- Season — peak summer commands a premium
- Guest count — directly impacts catering and staffing
- Buyout scope — full venue vs partial use
- Stay length — number of nights for celebrations
- Catering packages — dinner tiers and menu choices
- Extras — florals, entertainment, transfers
Accommodation & logistics
One of the most searched questions from couples — we surface it early because it directly shapes how a wedding weekend can be designed.
On-site sleeping
Rooms carved into prehistoric cave dwellings, ranging from Classic to Executive Suite. Each preserves the raw surfaces of the original caves — stone, tufa, sedimentary walls — while providing modern comforts. The caves' natural insulation keeps rooms cool in summer and warm in winter.
- Cave Rooms & Suites — 18 rooms
Getting there
Matera, Basilicata — plan transfers as a key part of the weekend logistics.
- Matera Town Centre: 1 km / 15 min walk
- Bari Airport: 65 km / 55 min
- Bari: 65 km / 1h
- Naples: 260 km / 3h
- Rome: 450 km / 4h 30min
- Lecce: 200 km / 2h 15min
What makes Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita different
UNESCO World Heritage Sassi di Matera
Rooms in Prehistoric Cave Dwellings
13th-Century Deconsecrated Church On-Site
Sextantio Brand (Design Hotels Member)
Exclusively Local & Organic Cuisine
Entire Hotel Available for Weddings
The setting in pictures
75 images of Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita.
Spaces & capacities
13th-Century Deconsecrated Church
An extraordinary 13th-century church within the cave complex, deconsecrated but retaining its sacred atmosphere. This intimate space seats up to 25 for dinner and provides a profoundly moving setting for blessing ceremonies.
Outdoor Terrace
The terrace overlooks the dramatic ravine of the Sassi, offering outdoor dining and ceremony space for up to 60 guests with the ancient cave city as a breathtaking backdrop.
Cave Reception Spaces
Atmospheric cave rooms within the hotel provide intimate reception and gathering spaces. The raw stone walls, candlelight, and ancient surfaces create an atmosphere unlike any other venue in Italy.
| Event Space | Cocktail | Seated | Buffet | Ceremony |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13th-Century Deconsecrated Church An extraordinary 13th-century church within the cave complex, deconsecrated but retaining its sacred atmosphere. This intimate space seats up to 25 for dinner and provides a profoundly moving setting for blessing ceremonies. | – | 25 | – | 25 |
| Outdoor Terrace The terrace overlooks the dramatic ravine of the Sassi, offering outdoor dining and ceremony space for up to 60 guests with the ancient cave city as a breathtaking backdrop. | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| Cave Reception Spaces Atmospheric cave rooms within the hotel provide intimate reception and gathering spaces. The raw stone walls, candlelight, and ancient surfaces create an atmosphere unlike any other venue in Italy. | 40 | 25 | 30 | – |
Common questions
Answers to the questions most couples ask before enquiring.
What is the maximum wedding capacity?
The outdoor terrace accommodates up to 60 guests for seated dining and ceremonies. The 13th-century deconsecrated church seats up to 25 for intimate dinners or blessing ceremonies.
Can we have a ceremony on-site?
Blessing and symbolic ceremonies can be held in the 13th-century deconsecrated church — an extraordinary setting carved into the rock. Civil ceremonies can be arranged at Matera's municipal offices, and Catholic ceremonies in the city's churches.
What are the rooms like?
Rooms are carved into prehistoric cave dwellings that have been inhabited for thousands of years. The original stone surfaces are preserved — you sleep within walls shaped by millennia of human history. Despite the ancient setting, rooms are equipped with modern comforts, quality linens, and atmospheric candlelit lighting.
How do we get there?
The nearest airport is Bari (55 minutes by car). Matera is also reachable from Naples (3 hours) and Rome (4.5 hours). Private transfers can be arranged.
Is the venue exclusive use for weddings?
Yes — the entire hotel structure is made available for wedding events, ensuring privacy and a fully immersive experience for your celebration.
What is the food like?
The chef prepares authentic Basilicata cuisine using exclusively local, organic, and sustainably farmed ingredients. Southern Italian culinary traditions are rich and distinctive — expect handmade pasta, local cheeses, cured meats, and produce from the surrounding countryside.
Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita — wedding venue in Matera, Basilicata
The Sassi di Matera are ancient cave dwellings carved into the limestone ravine, inhabited continuously since the Palaeolithic era. By the mid-20th century, the caves had become synonymous with poverty and were evacuated by government decree. They stood empty for decades until UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1993 began a remarkable revival.
Daniele Kihlgren, whose Sextantio brand had already transformed Santo Stefano di Sessanio in Abruzzo, recognised the potential of these abandoned caves as a hotel that could preserve their raw, ancient character. Le Grotte della Civita opened with rooms that retain the caves' original surfaces — stone, tufa, sedimentary walls — illuminated by candlelight and furnished with a simplicity that lets the extraordinary architecture speak for itself.
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Other celebrated Basilicata venues — useful for couples comparing options in the region.
Request a tailored quote
Tell us a little about your plans and we'll connect you directly with the venue team for a personalised response.
Before you enquire
The more context you share, the more tailored the response from the venue team.
- Your approximate wedding date or preferred month
- Estimated guest count and how many staying on site
- Your budget range (helps us confirm realistic fit)
- Whether you'd like exclusive use of the property
- Any specific priorities — food, ceremony style, photography
- How far along you are with planning