House Noha

Casa Noha, located in the Civita district of Matera, is an emblem of the recovery of the city’s historical and cultural heritage. This ancient building, which now houses an interpretation center of Matera’s history, offers visitors an immersive journey through the centuries, telling the story of Matera’s transformation from a prehistoric settlement to European Capital of Culture. The house was donated to FAI (Italian Environment Fund) by the Noha family, who recognized the historical value of the building and the importance of preserving it for future generations. Casa Noha is much more than just a house: it is an open window to Matera’s millennia-old history. The structure itself is an example of vernacular architecture, with its tuff walls and rooms carved into the rock, telling the story of a city that has been able to adapt and survive in a harsh and challenging territory. The interior spaces have been carefully restored, keeping intact the signs of the past, such as niches, fireplaces, and original floors. The visit to Casa Noha begins with a multimedia journey entitled “The Tale of Matera,” a projection that guides visitors through the city’s various historical epochs. This visual and auditory story was created with the contribution of historians, archaeologists, and artists, offering a detailed overview of the events that have shaped Matera over the millennia. From the first traces of human settlements in the Paleolithic caves, through the medieval period with its rock churches and monasteries, to the dramatic evacuation of the 1950s and the subsequent cultural revival, the multimedia journey is an immersive and engaging experience. From a historical perspective, Casa Noha provides insight into different key epochs of Matera’s history. During the Middle Ages, Matera became an important religious and cultural center, as evidenced by the presence of numerous rock churches and monasteries. These places of worship, carved into the rock, are an extraordinary example of troglodytic architecture and are enriched with frescoes that tell the life and spirituality of the monastic communities that resided there. Casa Noha preserves documents and artifacts that illustrate this period, offering a detailed view of religious practices and daily life in the monasteries. Another crucial period is that of the 20th century, when Matera became a symbol of poverty and housing degradation in Italy. In the 1950s, the Italian government decided to evacuate the Sassi, transferring thousands of inhabitants to new housing built in the modern part of the city. This intervention, necessary to improve the living conditions of the inhabitants, marked a period of abandonment and decline for the Sassi, which remained empty and in ruins for decades. Casa Noha preserves photographic and documentary evidence of this period, showing the difficult living conditions in the cave houses and the dramatic evacuation operations. From an artistic perspective, Casa Noha offers a unique perspective on the evolution of art and architecture in Matera. The frescoes and decorations in the rock churches and monasteries are an extraordinary example of sacred art, reflecting the Byzantine and Norman influences that characterized the region. These frescoes, with their vivid representations of saints, biblical scenes, and religious symbols, are an artistic treasure of inestimable value. Casa Noha preserves and promotes the knowledge of this heritage, offering visitors the opportunity to admire reproductions and detailed studies of the works.