One of Europe’s most distinctive hospitality concepts has come to life in southern Italy’s Basilicata region. Vetera Matera, located in the heart of the ancient cave city of Matera—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—has officially opened its doors for the 2025 spring season. This five-star cave hotel, created by restoring millennia-old rock dwellings, invites guests into a stay shaped by timeless geology.
In this hotel, the bedrock becomes the stage for guest experience.
Developed under the Relais & Châteaux umbrella, Vetera Matera features 23 rooms and spa areas carved from historic cisterns. The architecture preserves the raw integrity of the cave walls while blending them with contemporary luxury. Guest rooms include geothermal heating, acoustic stone paneling, walls treated with natural pigments, and automated lighting systems.
From Ancient Cistern to Spa Sanctuary
The spa area was once a series of stepped stone chambers used as animal shelters. Today, it houses aromatherapy rooms, natural stone steam baths, and private thermal pools nestled into the rock. During the architectural transformation, no supporting walls were cut, and the organic forms of the space were left entirely intact.
Flavors from the Table of Basilicata
The menu strategy aims to promote the region’s cultural sustainability.
The hotel restaurant works exclusively with local ingredients, offering specialties such as Matera’s traditional stone-oven bread, the region’s iconic peperoni cruschi (sun-dried sweet red peppers), artisanal goat cheese, and Aglianico del Vulture wines. The kitchen merges regional culinary heritage with contemporary technique to deliver a deeply rooted yet elevated dining experience.
Industry Perspective: A Rise in Cave-Hotel Investments
Cave hotels, especially in the post-pandemic era, have gained traction with travelers seeking authenticity and isolation. Vetera Matera stands out as one of the most refined examples of this trend in Europe. The global cave-hotel market is projected to grow by 8% between 2025 and 2030.
Tourism economies are building new scales by preserving cultural heritage.
Matera’s New Role on the Tourism Map
Since being named European Capital of Culture in 2019, Matera has emerged as an epicenter of investment—not only in architecture but in gastronomy, the arts, and sustainable tourism. Vetera plans to collaborate with local guides, culinary tours, and contemporary art programs to generate multifaceted contributions to the regional economy.
