Itinerary:
Melfi – Lagopesole –
Castel del Monte.
Distances:
A) Lavello – Castel del Monte
60km | 53 minutes
B) Lavello – Melfi
27km | 20 minutes
C) Lavello – Castel Lagopesole
48 km – 40 minutes
Following in the footsteps of Frederick II between Basilicata and Puglia.
Melfi
About 20 kilometers from Lavello lies Melfi, a Medieval town that still retains some of its original appearance dating back to the 11th century when it was the capital of the Duchy of Apulia during the Norman period. It was precisely in this place, in 1231, that Emperor Frederick II promulgated the famous “Constitutiones Augustales”! We will visit the Massimo Pallottino Archaeological Museum, housed in the Frederick castle, which preserves the most remote testimonies of the town. The majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and, if that’s not enough, the splendid crypt of Santa Margherita awaits you, a 13th-century rock church adorned with precious frescoes, among the most important in Southern Italy.
Lagopesole
About 40 kilometers from Lavello lies Lagopesole, with its Frederickian castle, dominating the entire underlying valley of Vitalba. As the Emperor’s hunting residence, it still preserves its original structure today. We will visit the castle and the medieval village, among narrow streets, palaces, and walkways.
Castel del Monte, between wonder and mystery
From Lavello, we will move to Castel del Monte, a few kilometers from Andria. A UNESCO site since 1996, it is the most important medieval monument in Southern Italy. Located in Andria, in Puglia, the castle, together with the citadel, constitutes a national treasure and an architectural marvel to visit at least once in a lifetime! Castel del Monte, erected on top of a hill with magnificent views of Puglia and Basilicata, is the most important building constructed by Emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen of Swabia. You will discover with us the myths and legends surrounding the monument.
