Alberobello - Trulli capital
Alberobello trulli of Apulia in Italy - Alberobello, the capital of the trulli, is a small municipality of about 10,000 inhabitants located in the province of Bari; it occupies land that is strongly subjected to the erosive action of rainwater and the stratified limestone rocks that form offer the building material that characterises the trulli, the entire town and the territory of the Itria Valley, of which Alberobello is part.
The image of the trullo (from the Greek trûllos, ‘dome’), a timeless rural construction, has always been associated with Apulia as one of the most typical expressions of its rural soul.
In the green heart of the Murge and Valle d'Itria, thousands of trulli raise their characteristic stone pinnacles towards the sky.
So, from Alberobello to Locorotondo, from Martina Franca to Cisternino, every day the Mediterranean light makes the Itria Valley the still dream of a nature still on a human scale.
History of the trulli of Alberobello, Apulian region, Italy
The history of the Trulli dates back to the 15th century, when the Counts of Conversano, owners of the land on which the town of Alberobello was founded, in order not to pay taxes to the Kingdom of Naples on new settlements. They imposed on the peasants to build only stone dwellings, without the use of mortar, so that the dwellings built could be quickly dismantled in the event of control by the sovereigns.
The architecture of the trullo revolves around the grafting of a conical shape onto an underlying structure that is usually cubic. The cone-shaped roof is created by the superimposition of concentric rows of chiancarellae approaching the centre at the top of which rises the typical cuspidate element ending in a sphere at the top.
Sacred and profane designs, stars, crosses, crescents and astral symbols are often found on the cones, traced with lime milk.
Today, Alberobello and its trulli in Apulia, Italy, number about a thousand, listed as a national monument since 1930 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
What to see in Alberobello
A visit to Alberobello can begin with the Rione Montia district made up entirely of trulli and situated on the slopes of a small hill. As you walk up the narrow streets of this district, you can visit the many shops selling local handicrafts and souvenirs; you can stop to taste typical Apulian dishes in the many restaurants, all located inside the Trulli. The Rione Monti is the most famous and touristic area with more than 1,000 trulli offering an impressive spectacle and each trullo has a unique story. At the top of this hill is the characteristic Church of Saint Anthony, also built inside a large trullo.
One of the most famous symbols of Alberobello is the Trullo Siamese (via Monte Nero)a dwelling formed on the outside by two distinct cones, but on the inside it looks like a single dwelling with several rooms. Shrouded in an ancient legend, the interior of the Trullo now houses a shop selling typical Apulian handicrafts.
For a breathtaking view of the entire Rione Monti, we recommend you go to the Terrazza-Belvedere, located next to the small church of Santa Lucia.
The other district not to be missed is the Rione Aia Piccolacomprising almost 400 Trulli, all inhabited; in fact, there are no shops and shops in this area, so you can really immerse yourself in the typical Alberobello atmosphere. In this area is located the Trullo Sovrano, the only two-storey trullo and symbol of the city, is the largest. It is an example of how these dwellings can also be adapted for larger families.
If you go to Alberobello, you certainly cannot miss a visit to the Basilica Minore dei Santi Medici Cosma e Damiano, patron saints of the town. Celebrated every year on 27 September, they draw thousands of believers and tourists to the town to watch the processions, fireworks and to taste local products such as grilled meat and cold cuts, accompanied by good local wine.
