There’s an incredible secret hiding in the Italian town of Matera. Don’t worry. It isn’t scary. It’s actually gorgeous.
Booking a room at La Grotta della Civita, a hotel in the caves of Matera’s Gravina River Valley, will send you back to the simpler times. Its medieval decor and stone walls would be the perfect escape for fans of Game of Thrones, The Hobbit, or anyone looking to embrace something other than their phone.
The mountain village dates back to the Middle Ages.
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There are 18 cozy rooms available and a restaurant on site.
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The renovations took nearly 10 years to complete.
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It was deserted since the 1950s, when those living there in unsanitary conditions were relocated by the Italian government.
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Margareta Berg discovered the caves, then inhabited by hippies, when she ran away from home as a teenager.
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Later, she would partner with entrepreneur Daniele Kihlgren to create the hotel.
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It remains mostly hidden in the community. Most local tourism offices have not heard about it.
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There are no telephones or televisions, but for those afraid of completely disconnecting, they do offer WiFi in every room.
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Movies often use this picturesque area for the backdrop of their scenes, such as The Passion of the Christ.
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Though they mostly stick to the rustic aesthetic, bathrooms feature this luxurious Philippe Starck bathtub.
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The staff makes each evening feel like you’re vacationing in your own private cathedral.
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Kihlgren hopes to continue reviving the community’s abandoned buildings with restaurants, wine cellars, tea rooms, and more.
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(via Messy Nessy.)
Rooms start at around $250 a night for this unique Italian getaway. You can find more information on booking your trip on their website and Facebook.
