Casa Noha
In a time-worn dwelling, we tell you the story of Matera
Immersed in the famous Sassi, one of the ancient dwellings has become a place in which to learn all about a 1000-year-old history – that of the city of Matera, written in the porous, crumbly tufa.
Donated to FAI by the Fodale and Latorre families in 2004
A stone’s throw from the cathedral, in the upper part of the Sasso Caveoso (one of the natural depressions that are a feature of the Materan landscape), Casa Noha serves as the visitor’s “gateway” to the city, charting its history thanks to an innovative communication project. With its tufa walls, vaulted ceilings, delicate carvings and cornices, the building is a prime example of the residential architecture of the Sassi. An external staircase leads from the airy courtyard to the five internal spaces, which at one time belonged to the noble Noha family.
At the behest of those who inherited the property, and out of their love for this part of Italy and their desire to share its history and beauty with the wider community, the house was donated to FAI in 2004. In line with this laudable aspiration, FAI carried out a painstaking conservation operation and designed a cutting-edge multimedia journey that describes the area from an array of different perspectives, encompassing everything from architecture and history of art to archaeology and the history of cinema. The video – entitled The invisible Sassi. An extraordinary journey through the history of Matera – conceived by Giovanni Carrada and projected onto the walls, ceilings and floors of the rooms, offers the visitors a complete reconstruction of the history of the city from its origins to the present day.
Casa Noha is open every day (except Tuesdays) with the following hours:
- from 24th December to 6th January: 10am - 5pm*
- March: 10am – 5pm
- from April to October: 9am – 7pm
*except 26th December, 1st and 6th January, when the opening hours will be 10am-1:30 pm and 4pm - 6:30 pm
Last entry: 30 minutes before closing time.
Seating is limited, so prior booking is recommended.
On Tuesdays, Casa Noha is open to groups and schools (minimum 15 people), with an additional charge of €50 to be added to the cost of the entry ticket. Prior booking is essential.
From Piazza Duomo
Leave the Cathedral on your left and take Via San Potito, using the underpass at the end of the square. Proceed along Via San Potito and, after around 20 metres, enter Recinto Cavone, then take the stairs to your right, after Via Muro.
From the Sasso Caveoso
Departing from Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, proceed along Via Muro until you reach Via San Potito, then turn right and, after around 20 metres, enter Recinto Cavone, taking the stairs on your right.
Parking
Piazza Duomo – Permanent limited traffic zone.
Council car park (charges apply) – Via Lucana, 750m away.
Council car park (charges apply) – Piazza Cesare Firrao, 900m away.
- FAI members: free entry*
- Adults: €6
- Children aged 4-14: €2
- Children aged 0-3: free entry
- Students aged 25 or under: €4
- National Trust members*, residents of the Matera Local Council area*, those with a disability + 1 companion: free entry
- Family: €15. Allows entry at reduced rates for family groups composed of 2 adults and 2 children (4 - 14 years of age). Free entry for any additional children in the family group.
*with the exception of specific events, when the additional event charge will apply.
During events the price may be subject to change
Guided tours for groups
- Exclusive Matera visit
Church of San Nicola dei Greci. Departure from Casa Noha after watching the video The invisible Sassi. An extraordinary journey through the history of Matera. Visit to the Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, taking in narrow streets, neighbourhoods and rock churches, through two districts of the ancient city, Caveoso and Barisano. - Parco della Murgia materana
Walk through the Parco della Murgia Materana, amid ravines, swamps and caves, in search of the human history of this area. Visit to bronze-age tombs, canal systems, fortified folds, rock churches and the remains of Neolithic man, surrounded by the rich flora of this protected area.
Starting at Jazzo Gattini, an ancient rural structure, we visit the various water systems of the rock hamlets, looking at aspects of the vegetation of the Murgia area, ancient rural buildings and rock churches. If possible, visit to a shepherd for a demonstration of local dairy production.
Rates:*
- Half-day guided tours (around 3 hours)
From 2 to 4 people: €70 (excluding entry fees)
From 5 to 25 people: €15 per person (excluding entry fees) - Full-day guided tours (around 7 hours)
From 2 to 4 people: €110 (excluding entry fees)
From 5 to 25 people: €23 per person (excluding entry fees)
For information and bookings: promonoha@fondoambiente.it or fainoha@fondoambiente.it
*10% discount for FAI members
Guided tours for schools
Guided tours available for school groups, for more information: www.faiscuola.it
Purchases from the bookshop make a tangible contribution to supporting the work of FAI.
Free wi-fi is available at Casa Noha.
Disabled visitors can access free-of-charge those FAI properties that are open to the public by showing their ANMIC (Associazione Nazionale Mutilati e Invalidi Civili) card.
Casa Noha is challenging for people who have difficulty walking. Please contact us for more information.
