A small town with an extraordinary history. It was a favorite location of FREDERICK II, KING OF SICILY AND RULER OF THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE, who loved to reside in his huge castle in the town and go hunting on the wooded slopes of Vulture, the extinct volcano that dominates the region. It was precisely in the castle of Melfi that in 1231 the sovereign promulgated the Melfi Constitutions, the first organic text of laws written in the Middle Ages. Frederick II of Swabia, known by the nickname of “STUPOR MUNDI” (wonder or amazement of the world), was endowed with a multifaceted and fascinating personality which, since his time, has attracted the attention of historians and ordinary people, giving rise to a series of popular myths and legends.

The CASTLE OF MELFI dominates the hill on which the ancient part of the town is located. Its foundation dates back to the end of the 11th century BY THE NORMANS. The castle now houses the Melfese Archaeological Museum, which exhibits a valuable collection of archaeological finds and the splendid SARCOPHAGUS OF RAPOLLA.

The town is also embellished by THE CATHEDRAL SQUARE, which hosts the DUOMO OF SANTA MARIA ASSUNTA with the adjacent BAROQUE PALAZZO DEL VESCOVADO. Walking along the network of alleys of the old town, you can get as far as CARBONE VINI, to visit the suggestive cellars (‘LA BOTTAIA’) created inside the mountains and taste a glass of their AMAZING AGLIANICO WINE. Going further downstream, you reach the nice GARDENS OF THE VILLA COMUNALE ASCANIO SIBILLA. Just outside the town you can go see the ROCK CHURCH OF SANTA MARGHERITA, with a cycle of FRESCOES from the 14th century.