Castle of Melfi

The Castello di Melfi (castle Melfi ) is one of the most important medieval fortresses in southern Italy. It is owned by the Italian State. Its creation, as far as can be deduced from the extant remains, dating back to the Norman conquest of southern Italy. The castle has undergone considerable changes over time, especially in the time of the House of Anjou and under the crown of Aragon.

History

The Norman period

The castle was built in the late 12th century by the Normans in a strategic position. It was on the way between Puglia and Campania. The site was essential for the defense as well as a base for the allies. The castle was the scene of historical events during the Norman era.

In Melfi, the capital of Contea di Puglia ( Apulia County ) was found 1059-1137 five councils under five different pontificates instead. In June 1059 Pope Nicholas II signed there the Trattato di Melfi, from the 3rd to the 25th of August he celebrated the First Council of Melfi and finally he realized with the Concordat of Melfi, the conquests of the Normans. The Pope appointed Robert Guiscard, Duke of Apulia and Calabria. Melfi became the capital of the empire. Robert Guiscard sent his first wife, Alberada of Buonalbergo into exile to marry Sikelgaita of Salerno.

At the castle more synods were held: Pope Alexander II ( Pope ) initiated by August 1, 1067 at the Second Council of Melfi; he received the Lombard prince of Salerno, Gisulf II, and the brothers Robert Guiscard and Roger I.. During the Third Council of Melfi Pope Urban II decreed the First Crusade to the " Holy Land ". Pope Paschal II in 1101 convened the Fourth Council of Melfi one, Pope Innocent II finally in 1137 the fifth and last in this place. In 1130 a non-recognized by the church council was held, which was convened by the anti-pope Anacletus II, who founded the Kingdom of Sicily.

The period of the Hohenstaufen

Upon arrival of the Hohenstaufen Frederick II put great emphasis on the castle and let them do some work. In 1231 it was the scene of the promulgation of the Constitutions of Melfi, a collection of laws of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, in their submission alongside Frederick II also people like his notary Piero della Vigna and the philosopher and mathematician Michael Scotus participated. The castle was used as a storage place for the area occupied in Basilicata taxes and as a prison. Among the various prisoners was also the Saracen ʿ Uthmān ibn ʿ Affan from Lucera, who was released after payment of 50 gold ounces. In 1232, Frederick II had the Marchese di Monferrato and the niece Bianca Lancia guest, who would become his wife later and it gave birth to the son Manfred. In 1241 the Hohenstaufen king had in the building complex two cardinals and several French and German bishops set, which allegedly asking to participate in a papal council itself, which provided his deposition.

The period of the House of Anjou and the following sections

With the fall of the Hohenstaufen and the advent of the new rulers of the house of Anjou, the Castello was greatly expanded and renewed. In addition, it was chosen by Charles II, the official residence of his wife Maria d' Ungheria in 1284. In the 16th century it was changed under Aragonese rule and then successively the property of Acciaiuoli, the Marzano, the Caracciolo and finally the Doria, who owned it until 1950. The castle was hit by two major earthquakes in 1851 and 1930, which, however, unlike many buildings in Melfi, which were severely damaged as well as undamaged survived. Today the building houses the Inaugurated in 1976, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale del Melfese.

Structure

The Melfi castle underwent many changes over the years and today is an architecture that combines several styles. Your medieval character was, however, maintained. It is characterized by ten towers, seven of which are rectangular and three five -sided:

• Torre dell'Ingresso ( entrance tower )
• Torre dello Stendardo o dei Cipressi ( flags Tower or Tower of the cypress )
• Torre della Terrazza Della Secretaria o (Administration storm or tower of the terrace)
• Torre del Baluardo del Leone ( Tower of the lion rampart )
• Torre dei Sette dell'Imperatore o Venti ( Tower of the emperor or tower of seven winds )
• Torre senza nome, solo Restano i ruderi ( nameless tower, of which only ruins remain )
• Torre di Nord Est o Torrita parvula ( Northeastern tower or turret parvula )
• Torre delle Carceri o di Marcangione ( prison tower or Marcangione Tower )
• Torre della Chiesa ( church tower )
• Clocktower ( Clock Tower )

The Castello di Melfi has four entrances, only one of which is available today. The first, which was located in the northeast near the Torre parvula, offered direct access to the surrounding farmland and is walled up today. The second is also bricked and is located near the Torre della Chiesa. The third, main access at the time of Anjou, located in the southwest at Torre del Baluardo del Leone and allowed access to the moat and the city. The only remaining usable access was created by the Doria family and was formerly made a drawbridge. The interior of the castle was remodeled from 17th to 19th century by the Doria family in a palace, but has retained some features of the Norman- Hohenstaufen style.

There is a portal from the eighth century with inscriptions recalling the deeds of Charles V and Andrea Doria At this still accessible target. Behind it is a courtyard, stables and two further courtyards, dello Stallaggio e del Mortorio, can be reached from where. All of these were created under the Anjou on the orders of Charles II 1278-1281. Also in the style of Anjou Sala del Trono are the ( Throne Hall ), which houses the museum, located on the northern side, and the underlying Sala degli Armigeri. Also noteworthy is the Sala delle Scodelle (Peel Hall), where the Costituzioni di Melfi were proclaimed.