592) Historic Sassi (meaning "the Stones of Matera"): (I Sassi di Matera Basilicata): "Italy of the Arts Series": (Serie Italia della Arti): A 10 Euro Proof silver coin issued by the "ISTITUTO POLIGRAFICO ZECCA DELLA STATO" (IPZS) on 19.09.2017:
For some other interesting posts from Italy, please visit the following links:
For some other interesting posts from Italy, please visit the following links:
The "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato" (IPZS) has issued a 10 Euro Proof Silver Coin as part of its on-going Coin Series titled "Italy of the Arts".
The coin issued this year is dedicated to the artistic town of Matera, located in the Southern region Basilicata, (also referred to as "Lucania").
The Obverse of the 10 Euro Silver coin against the backdrop of the panorama of Matera
The Coin against an artist's concept of the design presented on the Obverse of the coin and the Reverse of the coin
About Matera:
Matera, one of the oldest cities in the world, boasts of a unique architecture and an extra-ordinary landscape and is famous for its extensive cave-dwelling districts, known as "Sassi". Visitors stay in these caves, wander in the lanes alongside the picturesque cave-filled cliffs and learn all about the history of this fascinating place.
The ancient rock-cut dwellings
The coin issued this year is dedicated to the artistic town of Matera, located in the Southern region Basilicata, (also referred to as "Lucania").
About Matera:
Matera, one of the oldest cities in the world, boasts of a unique architecture and an extra-ordinary landscape and is famous for its extensive cave-dwelling districts, known as "Sassi". Visitors stay in these caves, wander in the lanes alongside the picturesque cave-filled cliffs and learn all about the history of this fascinating place.
The ancient dwellings dug in the natural rock caves on its territory witnessed human settlements dating back to the Paleolithic Age, around 10,000 years ago.. The caves of Matera were continuously inhabited for centuries -some of the caves are humble, while some existed as very decorative residences. By the early 20th Century, the area was plagued with conditions approaching poverty.
As a consequence, in the 1950s, hundreds of families who were still living in crowded conditions, were forcibly moved to modern buildings on the plateau above.
By the 1980s, the abandoned caves of Matera were were no longer considered unsafe and hazardous, but were restored as fascinating reminders of the past. A few of the more well-to-do residents moved back and renovated their cave homes.
Matera also has several churches, that were cut into the rock of hill-sides and ravines. They were created by the Basilian monks, who were fleeing the iconoclastic persecution of the Byzantine Empire during the 8th and 9th Centuries. While some of these churches are still used for service, one of the more well-known churches in Matera is actually not a rock church.
As a consequence, in the 1950s, hundreds of families who were still living in crowded conditions, were forcibly moved to modern buildings on the plateau above.
By the 1980s, the abandoned caves of Matera were were no longer considered unsafe and hazardous, but were restored as fascinating reminders of the past. A few of the more well-to-do residents moved back and renovated their cave homes.
Matera also has several churches, that were cut into the rock of hill-sides and ravines. They were created by the Basilian monks, who were fleeing the iconoclastic persecution of the Byzantine Empire during the 8th and 9th Centuries. While some of these churches are still used for service, one of the more well-known churches in Matera is actually not a rock church.
Matera town in Italy, which dates back around 10,000 years, has been designated the European Capital of Culture for 2019.
The famous Sassi and the images of the Stones of Matera have been designated a World Heritage List of UNESCO in 1993.
Says a book titled "Treasures of the World" published by UNESCO Publishing containing a list of all World Heritage Sites listed by UNESCO till 2010, in my personal library about the "Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera, Italy -
" The Sassi of Matera and their park are the most outstanding, intact example of a rock-cut settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and eco-system.
Matera's development was due to its geological setting. A belt of soft tufa is located between 350 metres and 400 metres above the valley bed and this also contains two natural depressions; it was here that the settlement grew up. The clay plateau above was reserved for agriculture and grazing live-stock.
The Matera Region has been inhabited since the Paleolithic period, while later settlements illustrate a number of significant stages in human history. The harsh landscape fostered an independence of spirit which was resistant to successive waves of invaders after the Byzantine period. The area was also very attractive to monastic and utopian communities.
Present day panoramic view of Stone Houses at Matera
The earliest house form was a simple cave in the tufa, with a closing wall formed from the excavated blocks. This developed into a vaulted room built out into the open space, making it available for adaptation and extension. Groups of dwellings around a common court-yard evolved into a "vicinato" (meaning "neighbourhood"), with shared facilities, such as a cistern".
The Commemorative Coin:
The famous Sassi and the images of the Stones of Matera have been designated a World Heritage List of UNESCO in 1993.
Says a book titled "Treasures of the World" published by UNESCO Publishing containing a list of all World Heritage Sites listed by UNESCO till 2010, in my personal library about the "Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera, Italy -
" The Sassi of Matera and their park are the most outstanding, intact example of a rock-cut settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and eco-system.
Matera's development was due to its geological setting. A belt of soft tufa is located between 350 metres and 400 metres above the valley bed and this also contains two natural depressions; it was here that the settlement grew up. The clay plateau above was reserved for agriculture and grazing live-stock.
The Matera Region has been inhabited since the Paleolithic period, while later settlements illustrate a number of significant stages in human history. The harsh landscape fostered an independence of spirit which was resistant to successive waves of invaders after the Byzantine period. The area was also very attractive to monastic and utopian communities.
The earliest house form was a simple cave in the tufa, with a closing wall formed from the excavated blocks. This developed into a vaulted room built out into the open space, making it available for adaptation and extension. Groups of dwellings around a common court-yard evolved into a "vicinato" (meaning "neighbourhood"), with shared facilities, such as a cistern".
The Commemorative Coin:
On the Obverse of the 10 Euro Silver coin is seen the Church of Santa Maria de Idris, which is nestled in the upper part of the rocky spur of the Montirone above the ravine, in the surroundings of San Pietro Caveoso. It is a quaint, small building with a likeable atmosphere and simple folk-art decorations and touching images of saints.
On the upper periphery is the inscription "REPUBBLICA ITALIANA"; on the right periphery in small lettering, is the name of the designer "CASSOL".
On the Reverse of the 10 Euro Silver coin is seen a detail from a fresco in the rock-church of Santa Lucia alle Malve. On the left the letter "R" is the mint mark of the Mint of Rome and the year of issue "2017", along with the denominationl value of the coin "10 Euro". On the upper periphery is the arch-shaped inscription "ITALIA DELLE ARTI". On the lower periphery is mentioned "MATERA".
The St. Agatha fresco at the rock Church of Santa Lucia
The specifications of this coin are:
Denominational value: 10.0 Euro; Metallic Composition: Silver (Argentum); Fineness: .925 (with a tolerance of +/- 3%);Weight: 22.0 grams (with a tolerance of +/- 5%); Diameter/Size: 34.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Designer: Maria Angelo Cassol; Mintage: 4,000 pieces; Issue date: 18.09.2017; Edge: Discontinuous course milled.
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