Matera lies by the river Gravina that has cut a deep ravine through the landscape. It seemed very appealing to descend into the ravine, and then up to the plateau on the other side. I did find a place where there was a flight of steps for the first couple of metres, and I could see paths leading down to the river and then up on the other side. There was an opening by the flight of steps, but it was closed with an iron bar. It was apparently not intended that tourists would take this way. So I stood there in doubt for quite a long time – not only there was the iron bar, but it seemed really steep on the other side.