Context brings the brightest minds to your living room with perspective-shifting online lectures.
Matera, Italy: The City of Caves with Danielle Oteri
Our conversation will examine the key chapters of this remarkable city's history, from its state of decline to its designation as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1993. Participants will learn about the ingenious system of channels and cisterns which connect the city, as well as the Crypt of the Original Sin–nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of Rupestrian Art.
Together we will also learn about how Matera's state of decline contributed to references in Carlo Levi's book Christ Stopped at Eboli. Because Matera's cave dwellings had become famous for poor sanitation and desolate working conditions, residents were evacuated in 1952 and relocated to modern housing. During the 1980s investors transformed the cave dwellings into a tourism destination, with hotels, small museums and restaurants – and a vibrant arts community.
Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants in this conversation will come away with an increased understanding of this remarkable, historic city – designated a European Cultural Capital in 2019.
Danielle Oteri is an expert on Roman, medieval and Renaissance art. She was a Lecturer at the Met Cloisters for fifteen years and has been Program Director of the International Center of Medieval Art since 2008. Danielle has written about art, history, food and travel for Conde Nast Traveler, Gothamist, NPR and Roads & Kingdoms. She is the founder of Feast on History and Arthur Avenue Food Tours.
This conversation is suitable for all ages.
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Marvelous lecture. So much history and info. Political, film,historical and
Sociological!
Guest did not leave comment
Terrific virtual tour of Matera, including easy to follow history. We had been to Matera on a recent trip, and this really helped in further understanding what all we had seen as well as whet our interest in going back.
Though I’ve been to Matera before, I learned a lot in this webinar and want to go back!
Danielle Oteri makes each presentation rich with facts about history, art, food and touring. I learn so much and enjoy the pace of her great photos and points. Matera is on my list for a visit.