Matera, a city situated in the Basilicata region of Southern Italy, functions as the provincial capital. It held this position from 1663 to 1806. Nestled within a canyon shaped by the Gravina river, Matera is commonly referred to as "la Città Sotterranea" or the Subterranean City. Recognized for its ancient origins, it stands among the oldest continuously inhabited urban centers worldwide.

The historical areas, notably the "Sassi" district and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches, have been acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. On 17 October 2014, Matera was chosen as Italy's host for the European Capital of Culture in 2019.

Settlement in this area dates back to the Palaeolithic era. It is believed that Romans established the city in the 3rd century BC, naming it Matheola after consul Lucius Caecilius Metellus. Matera changed hands in AD 664 when Lombards incorporated it into the Duchy of Benevento. Benedictine and Basilian monks later inhabited nearby caves during the 7th and 8th centuries. The conflicts involving Byzantines and German emperors such as Louis II marked the 9th and 10th centuries, inflicting significant damage upon Matera. Post-Norman settlement in Apulia saw William Iron-Arm governing Matera from 1043 onwards.

After a brief period of self-governance and grappling with issues of pestilence and earthquakes, Matera fell under Aragonese dominion in the 15th century, granted as a fief to Tramontano barons. In 1514, due to oppressive rule, Count Giovanni Carlo Tramontano was assassinated by an exasperated populace. In the 17th century, dominion passed to the Orsini family, and Matera became part of Terre d'Otranto di Puglia before once again serving as Basilicata's capital until Joseph Bonaparte shifted it to Potenza in 1806.

In 1927, Matera was designated as its province's capital. On September 21st,1943,the citizens of Matera became pioneers by revolting against German occupation during World War II.