the observer notes how the town of matera, where gibson's 'the passion' was filmed, is looking to make big bucks off of religious tourism.

Matera Turismo has taken its first bookings from US families for its new Passion Tour, a circuit taking in the sites where the Last Supper and the crucifixion were filmed. At Matera's three-star Albergo Italia, visitors can book Gibson's room where the maid, Maria, still remembers fondly how she helped convert the minibar into an altar for early morning prayers.

In the cool, cobbled streets of the Sassi (cave-dwellings, from the Italian for 'stones'), restaurants, cafes and bed-and-breakfasts are mushrooming in trendy 'cave-conversions'.

'We did not realise the film would have such huge commercial success,' said the mayor, Michele Porcari. 'So we are just getting things ready for the tourists now. We have some of the stage props and costumes ready to put in a cinema museum. But it's not ready yet.'

Others have been quicker to spot the business opportunity. On a quiet corner overlooking the breathtaking ravine and the desolate spot where Gibson's Christ was crucified, Stefano and Pasquale are quietly chiselling at small blocks of sandstone, turning them into Sassi paperweights, to be sold to the Easter and summer crowds for between two and four euros apiece.

'I can do you a Passion crucifix, if you like,' said Pasquale. 'But it'll take me a day to carve a cross. Depends how much you can pay.'

when i visited, there were approximately three other tourists we saw, and zero americans/british. now matera is hitting the big time! i'm all for it. it's an incredibly beautiful area, and even if it takes a weirdo psychotically violent film for people to see the amazing history and scenery, well, that's okay with me. the entire area of basilicata is extremely poor, and anything that brings in revenue is a good thing.