Melfi
Melfi is a town and comune in the Vulture area of the province of Potenza, in the southern Italian region of Basilicata. Geographically it sits midway between Naples and Bari, and in 2015 it had a population of 17,768.
At a glance
- Type
- Town and comune
- Period
- Historic, in the Vulture area
- Style
- Southern Italian hill town
- Location
- Province of Potenza, Basilicata, southern Italy
Overview
Melfi is a town and comune in the Vulture area of the province of Potenza, in the southern Italian region of Basilicata. Geographically, it lies midway between Naples and Bari. In 2015 it recorded a population of 17,768.
History
Melfi sits in the Vulture district of northern Basilicata, a strategic location on the routes between the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic sides of the peninsula. Its position midway between Naples and Bari placed it along important historic lines of communication across southern Italy. The town has long been a centre of the surrounding Vulture area.
What you see
Melfi occupies the volcanic landscape around Monte Vulture, in the north of Basilicata. The town serves as a hub for its district, with its built-up centre set among the hills of the Vulture region. The surrounding countryside is shaped by the area’s volcanic terrain.
Cultural significance
As the principal town of the Vulture area, Melfi anchors a distinctive corner of Basilicata between the Campanian and Apulian plains. Its location midway between Naples and Bari has long given it regional importance in the south of Italy.
Practical information
Melfi is a comune in the province of Potenza, Basilicata. For opening hours of churches, museums and local monuments, check official website and the comune of Melfi.
Getting there
Melfi lies in the Vulture area of northern Basilicata, midway between Naples and Bari. It is reached by road through the surrounding hill country, connecting the Campanian and Apulian sides of southern Italy.