About Nicola
Matera tour guide, archaeologist, and sommelier.
Nicola Taddonio
Archaeologist, Tour Guide, Sommelier. Matera born and raised.
I’m Nicola Taddonio — your next private Matera tour guide, professional archaeologist and certified sommelier.
Born and raised here.
I grew up in Matera in the 1980s and 90s, when the Sassi were still largely abandoned. For kids my age, they were an enormous, mysterious playground — caves to explore, alleys with no names, a city within the city that adults had left behind. I didn’t know it then, but I was already learning to read the stones.
I went on to study archaeology formally — a first degree, a second degree, and a post-graduate specialisation — and spent years working on excavations across southern Italy: Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Sicily. My research focused on the ancient history of Lucania, indigenous religious cults, and landscape archaeology, including an experimental project in cooperation with the Italian Space Agency using satellite imaging to identify buried sites.
Matera, 1980s. Festa della Bruna.
Active excavation in the Sassi of Matera. The same stones you’ll walk through.
Sassi di Matera, 2023. Excavating a burial in a cave church. Matera’s history goes deeper than most people imagine.
Still exploring.
For the past several years I’ve been part of active archaeological digs in the Sassi themselves — which means that when I take you through those streets, I’m not reciting a script. I’m describing a place I’m still in the process of understanding.
I’m also a founding member of MUV Matera — the Virtual Museum of Collective Memory — a board member of the historic Centro Carlo Levi Matera, founder and President of ConfGuide Matera, Vice President of ConfGuide Nazionale, and a regular contributor to regional publications including Mathera magazine. I’ve published books on Basilicata’s cultural heritage, including Basilicata, le 100 Meraviglie (+1).
Autumn, Mount Vulture. Visiting Aglianico at home.
Also a sommelier – and why it matters for your Matera tour
I added a second qualification to my work in Matera: a certification from the Italian Sommelier Association. It wasn’t a random choice. Basilicata has one of Italy’s most underrated wine traditions — Aglianico del Vulture in particular is a wine that deserves to be known far beyond its current reputation — and I wanted to be able to talk about it with the same depth I bring to the archaeology.
After the walking tour, I offer private wine and food tastings in cave restaurants in the Sassi and in the volcanic cellars of the Vulture area. We taste Basilicata’s finest producers, with southern Italian wines from Campania, Puglia, Calabria, Sicily, and Abruzzo added at the premium level for comparison. It’s the same approach I use in the Sassi: context makes everything richer.
- Archaeologist — Post-degree specialisation, University of Basilicata. Active fieldwork in the Sassi of Matera.
- Sommelier — Certified by the Italian Sommelier Association, focus on Basilicata and southern Italian wines.
- Licensed guide — Founder and President of ConfGuide Matera. Vice President of Confguide Nazionale.
Matera private tours — why choose an archaeologist?
When most people arrive in Matera, they don’t have a real sense of the extent and complexity of the Sassi, a huge, multilayered labyrinth shaped by the same community across generations, much of which is hidden to most visitors. An archaeologist’s job is exactly to decipher that complexity and make it readable.
A few years ago I made a deliberate choice: no more group tours. Private only. The reason is simple — I get more out of a conversation than from a script, and so do my guests. Following someone’s curiosity for a few hours teaches me something every time.
My clients are mostly English-speaking — American, British, Australian, Canadian — and most find me through word of mouth. I reply to every enquiry personally, usually within a few hours.
In the Sassi with Terry Gilliam.
“Nico provided us with such a privileged moment in our lives. He changed our tour time so we could watch the Summer Solstice over Matera. He even took a beautiful photo for us without us knowing and sent the high definition version — plus a Polaroid. Exceptional.”
“We had an outstanding half day tour with our archaeologist guide Nico. He was so informative and bright that we felt very fortunate to have had him. He recommended a wonderful non-touristy restaurant in a cave setting where we sampled great wines and had delicious food.”
“Knowledgeable in history, archaeology and daily life with a Materano perspective that really enriched our experience. His English is very good and he has a warm, informal, approachable style which made conversation a pleasure. He was full of recommendations which further enhanced our stay.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes your Matera tour guide service different from other guides?
I’m an active professional archaeologist offering private tours in English. I’m currently part of ongoing excavations in the city — the history I describe is something I’m still uncovering in person.
Q: Do you offer tours for people seriously interested in history and archaeology?
Yes — and it’s my favourite kind of tour. I can adjust the depth of archaeological content to your level, from a general introduction to a detailed discussion of excavation methodology and current findings. I’ve led tours for archaeologists, historians, and academics, as well as for curious travellers with no prior background.
Q: Are your Matera tours conducted entirely in English?
Yes. English is my primary working language — almost all my clients are American, British, Australian, or Canadian.
Q: Can you customise the tour itinerary?
Every tour is built around you. There is no fixed route — I adapt the itinerary based on your interests, pace, and how much time you have. If you have specific sites or themes in mind, let me know when you get in touch.
Q: Do you also offer food tours or wine tasting experiences in Matera?
Yes. As a certified sommelier, I offer private wine and food tastings in cave restaurants in the Sassi after the walking tour. I also organise full-day experiences that include visits to wine estates in the Vulture area. Details are on the wine tasting page. For more info, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Ready to explore Matera?
Tours book out weeks in advance during spring and autumn. Get in touch early — I’ll reply personally within 24 hours.