The cistern has a maximum capacity of approximately 3 million liters of water.
It is constructed using the 'pozzolana' method, a hydraulic cement technique dating back to Roman engineering traditions.
The water depth within the reservoir can reach up to 15 meters during peak capacity.
It functioned as the main reservoir for the city until the modern aqueduct system was completed in the 1920s.
The temperature inside the cistern remains constant year-round, regardless of the heat above ground.
The site was abandoned and filled with construction debris for decades before its 1991 excavation.
The internal arches were designed not just for structural support, but to facilitate manual cleaning of the cistern floor.
The Palombaro Lungo is an enormous 19th-century underground water cistern located beneath Piazza Vittorio Veneto in Matera, Italy. Carved directly into the calcarenite rock, it features a series of arches and pillars that rise from the water level. Originally commissioned by the municipality in 1869, it served as the primary water supply for the Sassi districts. It spans approximately 300 meters in length and reaches depths of up to 15 meters. The structure was rediscovered in 1991 during urban restructuring work in the square above. It is often referred to as the 'Cathedral of Water' due to its vast, nave-like proportions and subterranean scale. Visitors explore the site via suspended walkways that traverse the surface of the pool. The water is sourced from the Murgia plateau and was historically distributed through a complex network of channels.
The central walkway offering a symmetrical view of the arches reflecting in the dark water.
Wear comfortable, non-slip footwear as the humidity creates damp surfaces.
Bring a light jacket, as the ambient temperature is significantly cooler than the street level.
Book your entry slot online well in advance, as group sizes are strictly limited by the narrow walkways.
Do not attempt to walk off the provided metal catwalks; the water level is deep and the bottom is uneven.
Open daily, though access may be restricted during periods of heavy maintenance or extreme weather alerts.
Maintain a low volume to respect the acoustic properties of the chamber; do not touch the ancient stone walls.
