Alberobello
One of the gems of Puglia is the town of Alberobello. Getting to Alberobello is quite easy. You can take the train/bus or drive. Experiencing this town is so amazing, photos don’t really do it justice. Leaving this quaint little town is another story. It is so beautiful you just don’t want to go! You may ask, “What makes Alberobello so special?” The answer is simply – trulli!
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Trulli are the traditional Puglian stone huts with those wonderful conical stone roofs. They are found only in the Itria Valley, known as the Murge Region of Puglia. Alberobello has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of Italy’s 54 UNESCO sites.
Folklore
The Kingdom of Naples (which controlled the region) put a heavy tax on all houses constructed. The local Counts of Conversano decreed that all new houses would be built in this Trulli fashion. Because the roofs were made of loosely stacked stones and could be removed when the tax collector came through the town, trulli were not taxable.
The Trulli
Now you may think that the trulli are unstable buildings, but it’s quite the opposite.
The base (which can be round or square) was made from limestone found in the area and held in place with mortar. It also has a second stone layer as well. The conical roof is a two-layered system, but the other tiles are layered with the faces down, making them water- and windproof. The single-standing round trulli was mainly used for farm animals. This beautiful trulli was also built to help collect rainwater since there was no water source available to these residences.
The conical roofs also told you about the inhabitants who lived there. Three or more roofs meant you were wealthy. They were also painted with a symbol. These symbols were either a sign of the zodiac or religious symbols of the region. Each trulli has a spire which was also used as an identification of the people living there.
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A Peek Inside
When we visited, there was a nice lady who had her door open. Of course, I neglected to ask her name but she was so willing and generous to show us the inside of her home. She explained that some of the domed roofs have wooden floors with a hole in the middle. The children would sleep there (using a ladder for entry) as that part of the house was always warm.
She was quite proud and really a funny character showing us around. And guess what? There was no admission, not a jar to be found anywhere. She just wanted people to see what these interesting buildings are all about, what lies on the inside. They really are quite beautiful. I asked if I could take her picture, and she sat down and smiled.
Alberobello in 1920
The photo below was taken in Alberobello in 1920. It amazes me to think what it must have been like to live in one of them during that time.
A Different Place to Stay
Many of the trulli have a “holiday sign” on them indicating that you can stay in one like a hotel. You see several signs when walking the streets, indicating that the trulli is available for rent. In fact, our friends Pat and Eugene stayed in one several years ago and are actually staying currently in one again and said they truly enjoyed the experience.
Our recommendation for a place to stay in Conversano
I’m sure you know how obsessed Ilene is with the doors of Italy.
So, if you visit the Puglia area and want to see something you won’t see anywhere else in Italy or the world, I suggest a visit to Alberobello. You won’t be sorry!
What a great journey to Alberobello. The houses are really amazing and glad you got to get into see one. What a treat that must have been. I guess I will have to add this to my places to go to in Italy. Thank you for posting such a fantastic posting
Ciao Kathy
Thank you, Kathy, for your comment! We LOVE Alberobello and it is a must-see for your list! So happy you liked the post!