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Melfi - Federico II

‘Federico II’ is one of the most important figures of the Middle Ages. He was able to combine a strong sense of his imperial prerogatives with a vision that could be defined as modern.

He was a free spirit and a great innovator, open to the influence of the Arabic culture. He was at the same time a literate, a legislator and a statesman. In Basilicata there are several important evidences of his activity.

The Melfi Castle has often been changed and extended by Federico II. Here in 1231 the ‘Costitutiones Melphitanae’ were issued. They were the first organic set of laws of the Middle Ages, with both penal and civil contents, aiming at regulating the Feudal Right; amongst others, also Pier delle Vigne and Giacomo di Capua drew them.

The Lagopesole Castle is an imposing building with a strategic position, which was designed by Federico as his hunting resort. The Emperor’s son, Manfredi, lived here for most of his short ruling time.

Frederick had several manors and castles built, and not just in the Vulture area, among which there are the Castle in Lavello and that in Palazzo S. Gervasio.