Le Grotte della Civita
Archaeological luxury meets radical minimalism. The design ethos is strict: original shapes and materials only, plain furniture, candles as the primary light source. It feels more like a living history project than a hotel — because that's exactly what it is. Daniele Kihlgren, the Swedish-Italian entrepreneur behind it, describes it as preserving 'minor heritage', and every flagstone was numbered, removed for underfloor heating installation, then replaced in exactly the same position.
Request a room with a window — some caves are entirely interior and can feel very dark
Why It Matters
Named one of the most extraordinary destinations in the world by the New York Times, one of the ten most beautiful hotels internationally by The Times, and included in Condé Nast Tatler's 100 most beautiful hotels on the planet. Earned the Michelin One Key distinction in both 2024 and 2025. The project is fundamentally a conservation effort — not a profit-driven hotel — which shows in the obsessive authenticity of every detail.
Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita is an albergo diffuso — a 'distributed hotel' — carved into the oldest section of Matera's ancient Sassi quarter, the Civita. Eighteen individual cave rooms spread across a UNESCO World Heritage site, each one restored using traditional tools and indigenous materials. No TVs, no minibars, no wallpaper — just raw tuff stone, candlelight, underfloor heating, and the knowledge that humans have lived in these same caves since the Stone Age.
Where You'll Stay
10 room types available
Classic Palazzo
A 30m² double bedroom with shower and panoramic window, set inside the XVII-century Palazzo della Civita. Recently restored. An alternative for guests who want the location with a slightly more conventional room structure than the cave dwellings.
30 sqm
Classic Palazzo Internal Courtyard
A classic room in the XVII-century Palazzo, recently restored, with views onto the internal courtyard rather than the gorge panorama.
30 sqm
Classic Room (Cave)
The entry-level caves run 30–35m² — compact by cave hotel standards, but still genuinely atmospheric. Cave 17 has a bathtub in the night area; Cave 18 has a shower tucked into a stone recess accessed by a small flight of steps; Cave 20 is a romantic 30m² with a shower. Each reveals original stone shapes and materials. No TV, candlelit, with air conditioning and underfloor heating.
32 sqm
Executive Suite (Cave)
The top cave tier, with three options at 80–160m². Cave 8 (160m²) is the largest cave in the hotel — an imposing 7-metre-high space with two large adjoining 'grotton' chambers. Cave 4 (130m²) is a linear-depth cave where past the wide living area (with king-size bed) you find a separate bathroom zone. Cave 13 (80m²) is the famous Bridal Suite — the only multi-level cave, with the night zone lodged up a level behind a big window.
120 sqm
Executive Suite Palazzo
A 100m² double room in the Palazzo della Civita with bath and shower.
100 sqm
Presidential Suite Palazzo
The largest and most luxurious option in the Palazzo della Civita section. Full details on the official site.
Suite (Cave)
Suite caves range from 70m² to 150m². Cave 10 (140m²) is an evocative 'grottone' with a wide king-size sleeping area and a generous living zone. Cave 14 (70m²) is a spectacular example of a classic Sassi dwelling. Cave 19 (80m²) is an ancient vaulted 'lamione' with a bathtub inside the bedroom and a panoramic window. Cave 21 (150m²) is a family suite with a king-size bed and two single beds.
105 sqm
Suite Palazzo
A 90m² double room in the Palazzo della Civita with a bathtub and shower in the night area — a spacious and romantic option for guests preferring the palazzo over the cave section.
90 sqmSuperior Palazzo
A 60m² double bedroom in the Palazzo della Civita with bathtub and shower in the night area.
60 sqmSuperior Room (Cave)
The Superior tier spans 45–90m² across several caves, making them considerably more spacious. Cave 3 (70m²) has big vaults and a hand-wrought glass window; Cave 7 (45m²) features a bathtub beside the king-size bed behind a door made from centuries-old wood; Cave 9 (70m²) sleeps three with a wide living area; Cave 11 (65m²) has a bathtub in a cosy recess up a few steps; Cave 12 (70m²) is called 'fanciful and romantic' with a private gate and a spectacular arch dividing the bedroom from the living zone; Cave 15 (70m²) is wide and well-lit with a bathtub plus a shower carved into the tuff.
60 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Visit craftsmen's workshops in ancient cave-houses to discover woodcraft, terracotta and tufa techniques kept alive by a new generation of Matera artisans.
Guided tours of the UNESCO-listed Sassi quarter, bookable through the hotel's reception. The in-house team can also arrange private guides such as Renato Favilli, who is highly rated by guests.
A cycling excursion from Matera to Montescaglioso through fruit and olive trees, with a visit to the Benedictine Abbey. Includes a stop at a farm for a picnic.
Hands-on artisan food lessons focused on traditional Basilicata bread baking and cheesemaking techniques.
Hands-on pasta-making class with an expert chef in the rock-hewn church dining area. You learn to make cavatelli, orecchiette and calzoni alongside a local 'cuoca' (experienced mamma from Matera), followed by an exclusive dinner using what you've made.
A two-hour horseback excursion through the trails of the Murgia Park, through the Parata Forest, exploring the territory surrounding Matera.
Wine tasting sessions featuring local Basilicata wines, including excursions to vineyards in the surrounding area.
Rent a mountain bike for a tour of the Sassi area, the city centre and the Murgia National Park. Bikes available through the hotel.
Day excursions to the Basilicata coastline, organized through the hotel concierge.
After a short introduction to the weaving art at the Sextantio Artcraft Shop ('La Bottega dell'Artigianato Domestico'), guests try to create their own woven piece using traditional techniques.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
A dedicated meeting room is available for small business events. The cave church can also be booked for private events and meetings.
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property with speeds of 250+ Mbps. Note: signal may be weak in some deeper cave rooms — ask for the code at reception.
Full Southern Italian breakfast with organic local products is included with the room rate and served in the XIII-century cave church.
Baby-sitting service available on request.
A terrace with sweeping views over the Gravina gorge and the Murgia National Park, used for aperitivo, outdoor breakfast in warm weather, and just sitting.
The hotel is in a restricted traffic zone. A nearby partner car park offers discounted rates for guests — approximately €40/day. Valet service available. Cars may briefly enter the zone for luggage loading and unloading only.
Original stone floors were numbered, lifted, underfloor heating installed, then each stone replaced in exactly its original position — a detail that defines the project's philosophy.
All rooms are air conditioned. Climate control is temperature-regulated — guests have noted there is no noisy conventional AC unit.
Luggage room available for guests arriving early or departing late.
Full concierge service for activities, guided tours, taxi/car rental, and airport transfers.
An on-site shop stocking traditional Materan craftwork and artisanal goods, styled to evoke a traditional domestic workshop.
Airport transfer service available on request. Contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival. Surcharges apply.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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