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Matera's Ancient Greek-Inspired Hotel Transports Guests Through Time
15 Nov
Summary
- Moyseion hotel in Matera, Italy, offers immersive experience of ancient Greek culture
- Hotel features replicas of museum artifacts, handmade furniture, and staff in period costumes
- Guests participate in daily rituals and symposiums to fully experience the past
In the ancient city of Matera, Italy, a one-of-a-kind hotel-museum called Moyseion is bringing the past to life. Housed in the city's famous troglodyte cave dwellings, Moyseion is designed to transport guests back to the era of Magna Graecia, when the region was ruled by ancient Greece.
Every detail of the hotel has been carefully crafted to evoke the ancient Greek experience. Guests are greeted by the haunting sound of the aulos, a double-piped wind instrument, as they dine in the vaulted breakfast room. The staff wear chitons (tunics), and the mosaic floors, decorated vases, and flickering flames from the sconces all contribute to the sense of stepping back in time.
The hotel features replicas of museum artifacts, from urns to jewelry, and the handmade furniture is modeled after designs seen on ancient pottery. The guest rooms, inspired by ancient Greece, offer high wooden beds, natural fabrics, and cabinets depicting daily life of the era. In the basement, the Sanctuary of Waters is a multilevel spa dedicated to the goddess Demeter, evoking the sacred sites of a lost world.
But what truly makes Moyseion special is the team of passionate archaeologists, classicists, musicians, performers, and dancers who bring the experience to life. They have worked with international specialists to ensure an authentic and immersive experience, from mastering the circular breathing needed to play the aulos to choreographing ancient Greek rituals and symposiums in which guests can participate.
Matera itself is a city steeped in history, with its layered cave dwellings and ancient churches carved into the rock. Once dubbed the "shame of Italy" due to the poverty and unsanitary conditions in the sassi (cave dwellings), the city has undergone a remarkable transformation, becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site and a European Capital of Culture in 2019.
At Moyseion, the past is truly alive, and guests are invited to step into a world of ancient Greek grandeur and wonder.
