Sassi di Matera is a Troglodyte cave dwellings carved into the calcarenitic rock (tufo) landmark in Matera, Basilicata, Italy, and a filming location for The Passion of the Christ (2004), No Time to Die (2021) and The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964) among other productions. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is owned by Italian State (state property / demanio dello Stato); managed by the Municipality of Matera (Comune di Matera) under a free 99-year concession per Law 771/1986.
Location: Matera, Basilicata, Italy
Verified facts
- Located in Matera, Basilicata
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10726, SRC-10727, SRC-12653 - Appeared in The Passion of the Christ (movie, 2004)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10726, SRC-10727, SRC-11102 - Appeared in No Time to Die (movie, 2021)
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-10726, SRC-10728 - Historic designation: UNESCO World Heritage Site (1993)
confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10726, SRC-11325, SRC-11885 - Architectural style: Troglodyte cave dwellings carved into the calcarenitic rock (tufo)
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-10726, SRC-11325 - Appeared in The Gospel According to St. Matthew (movie, 1964)
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-10726, SRC-11974, SRC-12656 - Appeared in The Nativity Story (movie, 2006)
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-10726, SRC-11975, SRC-12655 - Appeared in Ben-Hur (movie, 2016)
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-10726, SRC-11976, SRC-12654 - Appeared in Wonder Woman (movie, 2017)
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-10726, SRC-10389 - Owned by Italian State (state property / demanio dello Stato); managed by the Municipality of Matera (Comune di Matera) under a free 99-year concession per Law 771/1986 (since 1986)
confidence 85/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-13885, SRC-13886, SRC-11325
Evidence & sources
- SRC-10389 — https://movie-locations.com/movies/w/Wonder-Woman.php (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-10726 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sassi_di_Matera (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-10727 — https://www.omnesmag.com/en/news/matera-the-place-where-mel-gibson-filmed-the-passion-of-the-christ/ (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-10728 — https://movie-locations.com/movies/n/No-Time-To-Die.php (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11102 — Italy Travel and Life – The Passion of the Christ, Location: Matera (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11325 — https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/670/ (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11885 — Sassi di Matera official portal (sassidimatera.it) (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11974 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gospel_According_to_St._Matthew_(film) (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11975 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nativity_Story (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-11976 — https://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/ben-hur-remake-begins-filming-matera (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12653 — ItalyHeritage – The Sassi of Matera (UNESCO) (Tier 1, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12654 — Screen Global Production – New Ben-Hur filmed Italy as ancient Middle East (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12655 — Christianity Today – O Little Town (The Nativity Story) (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-12656 — Smithsonian Magazine – How Matera Went From Ancient Civilization to Slum to a Hidden Gem (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-13885 — https://comune.matera.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/L-771-Sassi-Regolamento-Subconcessioni.pdf (Tier 1, reference; retrieved July 2026)
- SRC-13886 — http://www.edizionieuropee.it/law/html/34/zn5_07_009.html (Tier 2, reference; retrieved July 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Ben-Hur filmed?
Sassi di Matera, in Matera, Basilicata, is a real-world filming location used for Ben-Hur. This property has also appeared on screen in No Time to Die, The Gospel According to St. Matthew, The Nativity Story, The Passion of the Christ.
Where was No Time to Die filmed?
Sassi di Matera, in Matera, Basilicata, is a real-world filming location used for No Time to Die. This property has also appeared on screen in Ben-Hur, The Gospel According to St. Matthew, The Nativity Story, The Passion of the Christ.
Where was The Gospel According to St. Matthew filmed?
Sassi di Matera, in Matera, Basilicata, is a real-world filming location used for The Gospel According to St. Matthew. This property has also appeared on screen in Ben-Hur, No Time to Die, The Nativity Story, The Passion of the Christ.
Where was The Nativity Story filmed?
Sassi di Matera, in Matera, Basilicata, is a real-world filming location used for The Nativity Story. This property has also appeared on screen in Ben-Hur, No Time to Die, The Gospel According to St. Matthew, The Passion of the Christ.
Where is Sassi di Matera located?
Sassi di Matera is located in Matera, Basilicata.