Long Cistern

Matera is one of the most unique and unforgettable cities in Italy. Famous for its ancient Sassi districts, the city feels like an open-air museum carved directly into the rock. Walking through Matera is like traveling back in time, with stone houses, churches, and narrow streets creating an incredible atmosphere, especially at sunset. I visited Matera in November, and the weather was perfect — not too hot and not too cold, which made walking and sightseeing very comfortable. The city is clean, well preserved, and surprisingly calm, allowing visitors to enjoy everything at a relaxed pace. Local cuisine is excellent, and the city is well prepared for tourists, with clear signs, beautiful viewpoints, and friendly locals.

Beautiful historic place. If you are near, you need to see it in the day and also at night! What a place ❤️👌🏻

The whole Matera town is incredible! People have been living in those cave-houses for thousands years. Something surprising we learned was that those houses did not have water, sewers nor heating until ~60 years ago... "The shame of Italy!"

Great place to visit to understand the way people lived in the past. It was the main water storage facility in the old town and is located under the main square, Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Built in the 19th-century it was designed to store rainwater and spring water for the city's inhabitants. It held up to 5 million litres of water and is 50 meters long and reaches depths of up to 16 meters. It fell into disuse in the 1930s following the arrival of the Apulian Aqueduct. Not lots to see, but worth the visit to complete the understanding of how people lived and survived in the city.

We decided to visit Palombardo Lungo on a blistering afternoon, more in need of a break from the sun than anything else. Handing over the €3 per adult felt a bit steep for what essentially looked like a stone archway. We went in with low expectations, and to be honest, the experience didn't really justify the price from a historical or cultural perspective. The name itself, "lungo" (long), gives you the most accurate description: it's a long, shaded passageway that you walk through. There's not a whole lot to see or do inside. It's a simple, well-maintained tunnel with rough-hewn stone walls and a cool, damp atmosphere. You can hear your own footsteps echoing in the quiet. However, what it lacks in visual spectacle, it more than makes up for in pure, unadulterated relief from the heat. The moment you step out of the blinding sunlight and into that cool, dark interior, it feels like a total reset for your body. It's the most refreshing few minutes you'll spend all day. So, while I certainly wouldn't recommend it as a must-see attraction on its own merit, if you find yourself walking around under a merciless sun and your energy is starting to fade, Palombardo Lungo becomes a practical, and at that moment, invaluable refuge. The €3 isn't for the historical significance; it's for the brief, beautiful respite from the heat. It's a great example of how sometimes the best part of a visit isn't what's advertised, but the simple comfort it provides from the elements.

This is the biggest cistern in town, built in 16th century end extended over the years to fit the needs of the city. The caves were filled with spring water which was drinkable. I know is man made but I was very impressed of the size, and the clarity of the water gave me a very pleasant feeling. The fee entrance is 3€ and for the children is free.

We visited on the weekend, but unfortunately the place was closed and there was no option to buy tickets. From the look of things, it seems like it may no longer be operating—lockers appeared old and dusty, though it’s possible it’s just temporarily closed (I can’t say for sure), but I see people visited it lately an it was open… I wish it was open when we visited 🥹🥹🥹 That said, you can still walk down the stairs to enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the town. The entrance door is nice and the view adding it’s magic, and the historical architecture is truly beautiful and worth seeing. 🥰 Definitely a nice spot for a quick stop and some great photos! 🤩

Not worth the money for 5 min of go and return through narrow stairs with lots of other people going both ways just to see a small man made subterran space with 20 cm of water at the bottom.

What an interesting and history filled place. So worth a visit!! The cistern was hand carved during the ancient times of this city and captivates you immediately upon entering the space.