The oldest city in the world.

photo by Anna Maria/2017/ Sassi di Matera

For years, I’ve been practicing entering in my New Year on the road. Being in motion — moving, discovering new places — seems to be something that Pisces are born with, something written into their very being.

When I chose my destination for my 24th birthday — northern Italy — I didn’t have a detailed travel plan. On my journeys, I usually know only the main points of interest; the rest I allow to unfold on its own.
While in Bari, I learned about a city just two hours away by train — Matera, and its ancient district called Sassi.

Matera is considered one of the oldest cities in the world. Historians and archaeologists estimate that people have lived there continuously for around 10,000 years. The city consists of two parts — one carved into soft white tufo rock, an example of vernacular architecture shaped by the local landscape, and the other, newer section.

When I reached the far end of the city, an incredible view opened before me: a river flowing below, and above it, a long swaying bridge leading toward a massive hill on the other side. That hill, resembling a giant termite mound, once served as a refuge for the area’s first inhabitants. The caves carved into the rock were used as homes as recently as the 20th century.

In March, there aren’t many tourists here. As I cross the bridge, I notice a girl with a camera passing by — she catches my attention.
I wander excitedly among the hills, peeking into the now-deserted caves. I try to imagine what life here might have been like — without electricity or running water. How did these people live? What did they eat? Whom did they pray to? What did their homes look like?
The sun begins to set — it’s time to head back to town. I run again across the rather questionable bridge toward the lights of Matera.

As I stroll through Sassi, shrouded in evening darkness, I take in the scene one more time: houses stacked atop one another, winding alleys reminiscent of ancient Bethlehem. I see the church tower rising above the city — and suddenly something strikes me. I reach into my bag for my phone. I glance at the wallpaper — one of the default images I’ve had set for at least a year. I am standing right in front of that very scene. I’m in the place from the picture.

Did I realize then how the law of attraction works? I’m not sure. But from that moment on, I took it much more seriously — and began to choose both my phone wallpapers and the slides playing in my mind with greater intention.

Later that evening, when I returned to the (almost empty) hotel, it turned out that the girl who had passed me on the bridge was staying there too.
She told me the story of the place — as it turned out, she was pursuing a PhD in architecture in Wrocław.

The unique, raw atmosphere of Sassi later inspired me to create a project dedicated to the city — a set of sculptural ceramic planters designed for hydroponic cultivation, offering an alternative solution for its residents.

Sometimes we are guided along winding paths.