Europe Italy Italy UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Southern Italy World Heritage Sites from Naples to the Heel of the Boot By Martha Bakerjian Martha Bakerjian Twitter Martha Bakerjian is an Italian travel expert who uses her home in northern Tuscany as a base for her in-depth explorations of the country. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 06/26/19 TripSavvy / Christopher Larson Italy has 51 UNESCO world heritage sites with 9 in southern Italy (as of 2014). Southern Italy's world heritage sites include city centers, palaces, caves, trulli, and archaeological sites. Cities and sites are listed in the order in which they were inscribed by UNESCO starting with the sassi of Matera in 1993. For more about southern Italy, see Top Places to Visit in Southern Italy. More Italian World Heritage Sites: Northern Italy | Central Italy 01 of 10 Matera - Sassi and Rupestrian Churches James Martin Matera is an unusual town in the interior of the Basilicata region known for the sassi, a huge troglodyte settlement. The cave houses, dug out of the tufa, were inhabited from Paleolithic times until the 1950s. Today the cave houses have been revived and you can even stay in a Sassi hotel. There are also fascinating Rupestrian churches carved out of the ravine. Matera Pictures | Location on Basilicata Map 02 of 10 Naples Historic Center TripSavvy / Christopher Larson The historic center of Naples is packed with interesting narrow streets, churches, and outstanding monuments. Castel dell'Ovo, the oldest castle in Naples, sits in a beautiful position on the promontory. The Spaccanapoli district is a string of narrow, winding streets that's mainly a pedestrian zone in the historic center. There are many tiny and interesting shops. Via San Gregorio Armeno, one of the streets in the center, is known for its artisan workshops making nativity scenes. Naples Pictures | San Gregorio Armeno Pictures 03 of 10 Castel del Monte Steve Parode Castel del Monte is a unique 13th-century castle built by Emperor Frederick II as a military defense. The castle is octagonal shaped and uses an interesting blend of classical antiquity, Islamic, and European Gothic styles. It's near Bari, in the Puglia region - see Puglia map. 04 of 10 Alberobello Trulli Martha Bakerjian Trulli are unique architectural structures with conical roofs made of limestone slabs. Trulli dot the landscape of the Itria Valley in Puglia, and there are more than 1500 trulli in the town of Alberobello alone. Many trulli are still lived in, but some have been converted to restaurants, shops, and hotels or holiday houses. Trulli Lodging | Puglia map Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 Caserta Royal Palace TripSavvy / Christopher Larson The UNESCO site includes the 18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta with the Park, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the San Leucio Complex. Caserta Royal Palace, Reggia di Caserta, is an extravagant 18th century Bourbon palace modeled after Versailles, near Paris. Caserta is northeast of Naples in the Campania region. (see Campania Map). 06 of 10 Pompeii and Herculaneum Archaeological Sites Pompeii is one of Italy's best known archaeological sites. Both Pompeii and Herculaneum were towns engulfed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD and much was preserved beneath the lava flow. Both places can easily be visited as day trips from Naples. Also included in this site are the wall paintings of the Villa Oplontis at Torre Annunziata. Map 07 of 10 Amalfi Coast TripSavvy / Christopher Larson Italy's scenic and rugged Amalfi Coast is one of Italy's most beautiful stretches of coastline. The picturesque medieval villages dotting the coast hold important architectural and artistic works. In its heyday in the middle ages, the town of Amalfi was one of the four major maritime republics. Amalfi Travel Guide | Amalfi Pictures 08 of 10 Paestum and Velia Archaeological Sites and Cilento and Valle di Diano Park James Martin The Cilento area south of Naples has been important since prehistoric times. The Greek temples at Paestum are well-preserved and Velia is also an important classical site. The National Park of Cilento and Valle di Diano is Italy's second largest national park, reaching from the coast to the foot of the Apennines. It's in the southern part of the Campania region and western Basilicata region. Also in the area is the Certosa of Padula, an important charter house. Maps: Campania | Basilicata Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Sanctuary of the Archangel Michael in Puglia James Martin The Sanctuary of the Archangel Michael on Puglia's Gargano Promontory is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Longobards in Italy - Places of the Power, an inscription that includes 7 important Longobard churches and monuments dating from the 6th to 8th centuries. Also in southern Italy, the Church of Santa Sofia in Benevento is part of this inscription. Gargano Top Sights | Gargano Travel Guide 10 of 10 Sicily and Sardinia UNESCO World Heritage Sites The islands of Sicily and Sardinia, often considered part of southern Italy, have six UNESCO World Heritage sites including prehistoric sites, Greek and Roman sites, and Baroque towns. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email