In Melfi's castle, in 1231, Frederick II promulgated the Constitutiones Augustales: the Middle Ages' first great organic code of laws, written here at the foot of Mount Vulture. The Norman-Swabian fortress, among the South's most important, houses the archaeological museum with the Roman sarcophagus of Rapolla, a second-century masterpiece.
Melfi was a Norman capital before Palermo: five papal councils met within these walls. Today the town lives between imperial memory and Aglianico del Vulture vineyards; in October, the varola festival celebrates the dormant volcano's chestnuts.
Melfi Castle · cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta · Palazzo del Vescovado and 12 more
21 places to stay · top rated: San Lorenzo Casa Vacanze 9.7 · Palazzo Badiale history&rooms 9.5
Next up: Feast of Saint Alexander, Tuesday 9 February
Nearest airport: Bari Palese, 94 km away
Melfi is part of 🏘️ Villages
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📅 Every year, on 9 February
On 9 February Melfi celebrates Saint Alexander of Bergamo, its patron. The Good Friday procession and that of Saint Anne on 26 July are also deeply felt in town.
Melfi Castle The fortress where Frederick II promulgated the Constitutions of Melfi in 1231, now home to the Archaeological 
cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta The Norman bell tower of 1153 is almost all the earthquakes left standing. 
Palazzo del Vescovado In 1860, 2096 voters gathered here to vote union with the Kingdom of Italy. 
chiesa rupestre di Santa Margherita Three knights and two skeletons painted in tuff, on the road from Melfi to Rapolla. 
chiesa di San Lorenzo An octagonal baptistery dated to 1120, its bell tower left at its own base. 
Porta Venosina A pointed arch between two cylindrical bastions, in dark Vulture lava stone. Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Melfi, but an easy day trip away.
