Echoes in Stone
Matera / Italy /American University of Ras Al Khaimah
1725
Matera, a city carved from stone, is a timeless labyrinth nestled in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. Its essence lies in the ancient Sassi, districts of cave dwellings hewn directly from limestone cliffs. Matera, is a place where history, culture, and nature are intertwined. Known for its ancient Sassi districts and caves carved into limestone and its remarkable continuityof human habitation, Matera represents a living museum of resilience and adaptability.
The Tramantano Castle, standing as a sentinel above the city, is a poignant symbol of Matera’s layered past, evoking tales of medieval fortifications, Renaissance ambitions, and the community’s enduring spirit. The site in front of Tramontano Castle offers a unique opportunity to bridge Matera’s historical identity with a contemporary vision. Overlooking the Sassi and surrounded by dramatic topography, this area holds the potential to narrate the city’s cultural heritage while fostering public interaction.
Our project aspires to revive Matera’s essence by crafting a landscape that harmonizes with the castle’s historic aura, celebrates its stories, and welcomes locals and visitors into an immersive dialogue with the past and present.In this design, we aim to reconnect the community with its roots while opening new pathways for cultural expression, all within the embrace of Matera’s iconic landscape.
