The architecture of the “neviere” in Matera: the ancient secret of snow conservation

The "conquest of cold" that took place during the 19th century coincides with the invention of the first domestic refrigeration machine, now commonly known as the refrigerator. This remarkable innovation resulted from numerous experiments and theories, later applied to the design of the first domestic refrigerator with a compression system, patented in 1848 by Jacob Perkins. The invention revolutionized the food system, the perception of taste, and the very relationship with food, shaping a new organization of meals and daily life. In Italy, the refrigerator became widespread in the 1950s thanks to the entrepreneur Giovanni Borghi, becoming an icon of its era and a symbol of the Italian "economic boom". Its diffusion marked the transition from traditional food preservation techniques. In the past, the need for cooling and the enjoyment of cold food and beverages were met using what nature provided: the snow. Beyond its alimentary use, snow was also employed for medical purposes and as a water reserve. The research analyzes the underground city of the Sassi of Matera, focusing on the neviere, hypogeum structures designed for snow preservation through the thermal inertia of the rock. In addition to cataloging the main neviere, the study explores their architectural, functional, constructional, and socio-economic aspects, as well as their historical role in supply and storage systems.