In January, thousands of citizens of Italy’s Basilicata region gathered in a unique location to celebrate an historic occasion through music — which reverberated around adjacent tuff rock. Marching bands played Beethoven’s Ode to Joy — infusing life into what was, decades ago, an abandoned quarry on the outskirts of town.

That town, Matera — famous for the 9,000-year-old cave dwellings of its Sassi — is enjoying a moment in the sun as a European Capital of Culture. The aforementioned meeting point — appropriately named Cava del Sole (‘Quarry of the Sun’) – is where the Matera 2019 festivities kicked off.