What to see and what to do in Vulture

The National Archaeological Museum of Venosa is dedicated to the ancient colony of Venusia and is housed in the basement of the Aragonese castle of the city. The exhibition area hosts exhibits related to Roman domination.

The Diocesan Museum was established on 6 July 2001 by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco in the Episcopal Palace of Melfi. It is distributed on two floors, on the first we can find objects such as silver furnishings and tableware, while on the main floor there are particular frescoes belonging to the eighteenth century.

The Melfese National Archaeological Museum built in 1976 is located in the rooms of the castle of Melfi. The works on display in the Museum are archaeological objects found in the Vulture area. They belong to different periods and are exhibited in the three rooms on the first floor. These are bronze or iron weapons, worked stones, decorated ceramics that belonged to the tombs of the princesses.

Work on the construction of the Abbey began in the twelfth century and were commissioned by the Benedictines, with the aim of allocating the structure as a place of worship. After the abandonment of the convent from the monks, the construction of the Abbey also stopped, so much so that it is still unfinished today. Currently, the exterior walls and the five columns are visible of the building, four of which are complete with a Corinthian capital.

The castle of Melfi it is one of the most important medieval castles of Italy and it is of Norman origin. it was built in a strategic position to control the passage between Puglia and Campania. The Castle of Melfi underwent rapid expansion.

The Balzo Castle was built in 1470 at the behest of Pirro del Balzo, on what was the ancient cathedral of Venosa. The story has it that Del Balzo had this castle built after a few clashes with Giovanni Antonio Orsini, uncle of his wife Maria Donata. In fact, the Venosini did not want to be commanded by another nobleman who was of origin different from those of the Orsini. The Castle was therefore born with a defensive function, later transforming itself, in the 17th century, into a noble residence.

The Abbey of St. Michael is located in the middle of a beautiful walk from where you can enjoy a magnificent panorama. The structure dates back to the 10th century, and was built by the Benedictines. In 1465, the building was abandoned, and then resumed by the Capuchins, who turned it into a library.

The Sanctuary of San Donato has a very ancient construction and is considered the symbol of the Municipality where it is located. Its construction has a very special structure decorated with frescoes made by one of Giotto's students. Since 18 December 2010, the church was named a national monument.

The Tower of Angevin is one of the remains of the castle that was part of the ancient city of Atella built by Roberto I of Anjou. The Angevin Tower is the last remaining element of the castle built by the Angevins, after it was destroyed by the earthquake of 1694. For the community of Atella, the tower of Angevin is the emblem of the city. The building has special architectural and decorative elements of the time.

The Catacombs of Venosa document the presence of the Jewish community between the 3rd and 7th centuries. The burials are adorned with iconographies and epigraphies that are part of the community and document their level of integration into local public life.