Fleewinter

A cluster of caves which have been carved out of limestone and turned into a boutique 18-room, concept-hotel in the Sassi area of Matera in Puglia’s southern region. The hotel perfectly blends rustic charm with unapologetic luxury, decorated with unique antique furnishings, featuring artisan products throughout. It has been sensitively restored, to stay true to the original features and natural colours, whilst including all modern comforts against the flicker of candlelight. Uneven floors, dim lights, curved ceilings and handmade furnishings, offer a refreshing redefinition of luxury… and we love it!

All of the rooms are different in their layout, but with a consistent attention to high-quality furnishings; large beds, crisp linen, fluffy towels, rain showers and enormous pearly bath tubs. Bedrooms include overflowing fresh fruit bowls and jugs of cool water.

Mantera has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993, which offers visitors a stunning and well-preserved example of a village, where hundreds of caves were turned into dwellings, churches and palaces. The earliest inhabitants of this hamlet date back to the stone and bronze age. Coined the ‘Capital of Culture’ in 2019, this is a wonderfully rich and interesting place to visit on any trip to Puglia!

The Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita hotel is situated in the oldest part of the Sassi quarters, promising a stay rich in history and character. Breakfast is served in the ancient church a.k.a the ‘Cripta della Civita’, which is furnished with artisan tables and benches, and decorated with unique ceramics. Enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine in the quaint courtyard, which is strewn with colourful dried flowers and wild bouquets, overlooking the craggy park and rock hewn churches.

The hotel is a short walking distance to cafes, bars, restaurants, shops and galleries. You can easily reach the maze of narrow, cobbled streets by foot, which wind through this mesmerizing town. Keep your camera handy, it is especially spectacular at night-time, when this cave-side town glitters against the unpolluted night’s sky.

On request, we can book a private dinner in the property's former church and Fleewinter can arrange many different tours and activities during your stay.

Rooms include breakfast, but lunch and dinner can be arranged in the hotel's private dining room. There is also a cosy wine cellar for aperitifs and antipasti.

This is a perfect year-round accommodation option, so whether you visit during the warmer months to enjoy the alfresco vibe and balmy evenings, or prefer to cosy up by the fireplace in a snug grotto and feel like you’ve stepped back in time, this hotel will deliver on atmosphere every time…

Bari Airport is approximately a 40-minute drive away and the beach is also around 40-minute drive.

N.B. there is no parking at the hotel, however they have a private garage located off-site and can arrange valet parking for an extra €28 per night.

We can arrange the following activities during a stay at Sextantio:

Natural Park
Walking / Trekking / Cycling
Guided Tours
Horse-riding Tours
Picnic
Local Wine tasting / Wine tasting excursions
Seaside excursions
Bread and cheese making lessons
Cookery courses