Palazzo del Duca

Carved into the limestone rock of the mountains of Matera in the vaulted chambers of a 14th century palace, lies the Palazzo del Duca. Having housed noble families in centuries gone by, situated in the "Civita Matera" district of the city, an area historically inhabited by the wealthy elites of Matera, it is ideally suited to those both hoping to find a romantic getaway far from the hustle and bustle of modern urban life, or those wishing to explore one of Europe's oldest cities. The rooms' decor is ineffectually stylish, seamlessly blending the Old and New in happy harmony. The Grottapignata Suite is one such example, built out of an old "sassi" cave dwelling, with exposed stone walls and antique furniture married with a heated indoor pool - perfect for couples on an amorous retreat or a newly-weds honeymoon suite. There is a restaurant that serves locally-sourced regional cuisine and they offer cooking lessons to guests for an extra cost. For those hoping to soak in the city's culture, the hotel offers themed tours around the city, including tours of the "sassi" dwellings, the Rock Churches and the gastronomic culture of Basilicata.