The castle of Melfi

Castello di Melfi - Melfi is an Italian town in the province of Potenza with a typically medieval historic center. Here we find the municipal castle which dates back to the Norman era, but which was influenced by the Angevin and Aragonese times. This castle played an important role both on a religious level, as five ecumenical councils were established by as many popes; that at the military level for its strategic position which is indispensable for protecting itself from enemy attacks and for the possibility of giving shelter to allies; it was also the seat of the issue of the Constitution of Melfi.

At the entrance of the castle we find the rooms of the museum and we cannot fail to notice the sarcophagus of Rapolla (or of Melfi), found by chance during the excavations for the construction of a road, dating back to the age of the Roman Empire; in the castle we find another sarcophagus of the same type, both are finely decorated with mythological figures such as Apollo, Aphrodite or Persephone, it is believed to be the burial places of some hero. On the upper floors it is possible to visit the museum dedicated to the archaeologist Massimo Parlottino and admire his findings. Going forward we can admire some truly wonderful rooms such as the throne room and the armigers' hall.