After visiting Matera and after have discovered the Sassi and the surrounding area of Gravina and the Murgia with its ancient rocky churches, extend your stay for a few days so that you will have the opportunity to visit some of the most interesting and suggestive surroundings of the Apulia Region, reachable in a few kilometers and in one hour driving from Matera.
Visit the Castel del Monte (the monument that appears in the 2 euros cents) to admire the majestic and mysterious octagonal building built by Frederick II in the XIII century. From here, you can easily reach Trani to enjoy its seaside and to visit the famous seaside cathedral, the synagogue and the Swabian castle.
Do not miss, undoubtedly, the trulli of Alberobello and the beautiful and colorful Itria Valley, visiting the fascinating caves of Castellana (close to the beautiful village overlooking the sea of Polignano a Mare). The Itria valley is very rich in interesting towns, such as Martina Franca and Cisternino, and the white Ostuni.
A trip to Taranto will allow you to see the great historical and archaeological heritage in MARTA Museum where the largest collection of artifacts of the Magna Grecia is exhibited.
A nice stop to the near Altamura (15 minutes driving) to visit the imposing cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta wanted and personally designed by the legendary Frederick II of Swabia, very fond of Apulia and of Southern Italy. A little further away, there is also the town of Gravina, built over the ravine of Gravina (the same of Matera) and with enviroments excavated into the tuff rock.
Schedule your time in the visit of this part of the South and spend a few more days in Matera and its territory, you will not regret!