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.
We are open to the public every day except Tuesday as follows:
• from 1 April to 30 October: 9.00 - 19.00
• from November to 6 January: 10:00 - 17:00
• from 1 March to 31 March: 10:00 - 17:00
Last entry: 30 minutes before closing.
Limited seating numbers, booking is recommended. Please, write to fainoha@fondoambiente.it .
On Tuesdays we are open only for groups previous reservation for minimum 10 people. Rates and availability on request.
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
- Reduced (aged 6-18): €2
- Children aged 0-5: 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 (6 - 18 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
Discover the city of Matera through thematic itineraries by professional guides that will make you better understand the millenary history of the European Capital of Culture 2019.
For information and reservations write to promonoha@fondoambiente.it from 10:00 to 18:00 – Day off: Tuesday.
Cost: € 20 per person. Tours are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 participants.
Duration: about 2h30’
Rates do not include the ticket entrance to the cave house and cave church which are €2 / €3 per person per monument)
DISCOVER THE SASSI OF MATERA
The “sassi” are the old districts of Matera. During the tour we will walk through one of the “Sassi” (Barisano or Caveoso) and visit the main monuments (the Cathedral, a cave house and a cave church) in the area.
Departure from Casa Noha.
MATERA AND THE WATER
The Sassi of Matera represent one of the oldest urban aggregates in the world and base their existence on an articulated water collection system. Our tour takes you from Casa Noha to the discovery of the cisterns of the Rione Malve and the "u uarvigghiàn", ancient natural furrows that conveyed the water to the underlying Gravina river and that at the beginning of the 20th century became the first sewerage system of the city. Passing through the Goccia du Azuma in Piazzetta Pascoli you then reach the Palombaro Lungo, the largest underground water cistern in the city of Matera.
THE PARK OF THE MURGIA
Starting from the Visitor Center “Jazzo Gattini”, an ancient nineteenth-century sheepfold completely restored, we will discover one of the most spectacular rocky landscapes in Italy that testifies to the ancient relationship between nature and man. Neolithic settlements, caves, rock churches and breathtaking views make this trip a must for immersing yourself in the territory and culture of the city of Matera.
MATERA AND THE CINEMA
You will discover the main places used in cinematography. From "La Lupa" to "Il Vangelo secondo Matteo", without forgetting the more recent "The Passion" and "Ben Hur", you can stroll through the streets that hosted the colossal and masterpieces of Italian cinema. In September 2019 you could be part of the scene of the last James Bond.
Departure from Casa Noha.
MATERA – THE OLIVETTI DREAM
With the displacement of the Sassi, the historical districts and the intervention of numerous intellectuals, first of all Adriano Olivetti, in the 1950s Matera became a pilot laboratory where for the first time the coordination between urban planning, social sciences and environmental sciences was experimented. The new quarters arise from innovative and experimental projects designed to resume as much as possible the social life models of the Sassi. A wide range of public spaces, services and a good quality of urban design, today represent an important step to understand in depth the changes of the city of Matera.
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.
