Melfi, Medieval castle town in Basilicata, Italy
Description
Melfi is a hillside town in the province of Potenza in the northern part of the Basilicata region, at an elevation of around 530 meters above sea level. The old town walls enclose narrow stone lanes that climb up toward the Norman castle, while newer neighborhoods spread below the historic center.
History
Norman conquerors built a fortress on the hill in the 11th century and turned the settlement into an important military stronghold in southern Italy. In 1231, Emperor Frederick II proclaimed a legal code here that shaped jurisprudence in the Kingdom of Sicily for centuries.
Culture
The castle now houses an archaeological museum displaying finds from Roman times and giving visitors insight into the region's ancient past. On weekends you can see families walking through the castle walls and enjoying the view, while school groups regularly come for educational trips.
Practical
The old town is easy to explore on foot, though the steep lanes require some stamina. For a visit to the castle you should plan at least two hours, and comfortable shoes are advisable because of the cobblestone paths.
Did you know?
In the 1990s a large automobile plant was built on the edge of town, creating thousands of jobs and fundamentally changing the region's economy. Today many workers commute here from surrounding villages, giving the medieval place a modern industrial dimension.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (province of Potenza).
Basilicata stretches between the Apennines and the Ionian Sea in the south of Italy. This region invites you to see varied landscapes, villages built on the rocks and a history that goes back to ancient times. Matera, listed as a world heritage site, shows its Sassi, old homes carved in limestone....
Monte Vulture
5.4 km
Castle of Melfi
335 m
Melfi Castle
331 m
Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta
223 m
Santa Margherita
1.2 km
Rapolla Cathedral
2.8 km
Palazzo del Vescovado
212 m
San Lorenzo, Melfi
266 m
Madonna della Stella
2.9 km
National Archaeological Museum of Melfi
306 m
Santa Lucia
2.9 kmMuseo-laboratorio scientifico
885 mSan Francesco
2.6 kmChiesa del Crocifisso
2.9 km
Annunziata
2.8 km
San Biagio
2.9 km
Santa Maria ad Nives
135 mSequoia gigante
793 mLago del Rendina
7.9 km
Chiesa del Carmine
107 m
Chiesa della Trasfigurazione di Nostro Signore
561 m
Porta Venosina
383 m
Piazza Castello
2.7 kmMuseo Civico Palazzo Donadoni
219 mSantuario di Santa Maria Laudata
5.4 kmMuseo pinacoteca vescovile
188 mConvento di Santa Maria degli Angeli
8.1 km
Campanile Ruggero II
243 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes