Bones for the Drain

Once labelled the "shame" of Italy, Matera is now a UNESCO world heritage site. When the Prime Minister of Italy visited Matera after WW2 he was shocked to see its inhabitants still living in caves with their animals with no power, water or sanitation. He then began a program to forcibly remove all its citizens and relocate them (1952-71). After laying dormant for years it was discovered in the 1980-90s by Hollywood (e.g. "Passion of Christ"- Mel Gibson and James Bond more recently) and eventually it was renovated to allow hotels and such to buy back leases from the government (300 Euros a year- but millions to renovate). We are staying in a hotel cave room (see the Extra). Matera is no longer the shame but is now the "fame" of Italy....