BASILIANI HOTEL BY DOMENICO FIORE

A prehistoric settlement turned contemporary hotel in southern Italy

Matera, Italy, also known as la Città Sotteranea (the Subterranean City), is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Originating from a crop of troglodyte homes nestled in the hillside, Matera’s historical center (the Sassi) was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. In the heart of the Sassi, Italian architect Domenico Fiore renovated twelve of the ancient houses, turning the caverns into a design hotel.

Half-carved into the stone, half constructed out of the local Tofu stone, the Basiliani Hotel combines a historical appeal with contemporary decor. It is built over three levels that follow the slope of the hill into which the troglodyte dwellings were built. The complex of buildings circulates around small courtyards and the spectacular view that overlooks the Gravina Canyon.

For the interior, the curves of the rough stone walls are washed in white and punctuated with contrasts of red and black. Sleek black tiles cover the original flooring, the crumbling dust of which is occasionally revealed through transparent glass platforms. The chosen materials simultaneously modernize and lighten the interior without overwhelming or outshining the original masonry and result in a rare renovation that enhances history without destroying it.