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The Emperor is also noted for being the first ruler to establish a secular, state-run university: even today, the University of Naples "Federico II" remains one of the most prestigious universities in Italy. With the establishment of the Studium (founded in 1224), and through the study of law, Frederick aimed to improve the organization of the state by establishing an administrative structure of the highest order; the university in Naples soon became a full-fledged center of learning, offering the opportunity to study disciplines ranging from medicine to philosophy.
Studying in medieval times meant undertaking long and treacherous journeys, risking attacks and even death. Frederick's vision offered students in southern Italy the chance to study close to home: they were protected and looked after, and those who excelled received so-called “honor loans", scholarships and high-quality housing. Moreover, unlike other universities in northern Italy where students paid their professors, in Naples, teachers were paid by the Emperor himself. Many distinguished figures, such as the philosopher Thomas Aquinas and the poet Giovanni Boccaccio, contributed to the university's intellectual growth and development, leaving an impressive mark on academia and culture in Italy, Europe and around the world.
