All you ever wanted to know about the trulli of Alberobello

Alberobello, with its famous conical stone houses, is a unique place in the world

There are about 1,500 white houses built with conical roofs, with stacked stones without mortar, to make Alberobello one of the most beautiful villages in Puglia, making it rightfully included in the famous list of the UNESCO sites heritage of humanity (read our article on UNESCO sites of Puglia ). These typical constructions are called “trulli” (in the singular “trullo”).

Alberobello is the only city in the world born and developed as a city of trulli. The impression is to visit an enchanted place, where time seems to have stopped and where man has found a perfect architectural symbiosis with the surrounding environment. But the village of trulli really exists, it is located in the region called Puglia, in the south of Italy, in its famous “heel” . It is not just a Disney last creation ( i’m talking about Trulli tales) .

It is said that the trulli were used to evade the collection of taxes. When the tax collectors were arriving in the city, the villagers dismantled the conical roofs, removing the key stone from above. The house seemed to be such a simple deposit, not subjectable to taxes. Once the tax collectors had gone, the roofs were rebuilt and the trullo returned to be complete.

Today, in addition to being real residences, they also house small shops, bars and restaurants. Many have been transformed into small accommodations such as b&b for those who want to experience the magnificent experience of staying in these quaint little houses. If you also want to stay in an ancient and characteristic Apulian trullo , contact us and we will organize your stay.

Monuments and places of interest

The Trullo Sovrano

The largest trullo of Alberobello is called Trullo Sovrano and is located in Piazza Sacramento at 10/11 . It is about 14 m and its official name was given by Giuseppe Notarnicola in 1916. It was built in the first half of the eighteenth century on behalf of the rich family of the priest Cataldo Perta. This name is cited in an important notarial document of April 15, 1797. The master builder, remained unknown, while faithfully respecting the ancient constraints imposed by the provisions of Count Giangirolamo Acquaviva (seventeenth century), adopts unique construction solutions that make this building the most advanced and admirable interpretation of the trullo architecture .

Inside the Trullo Sovrano

12 trulli that develop around the central compartment of the sovereign dome. This is supported by the lower dome created by a pavilion vault and by four mighty arches dominated by the main dome.

In the very thick walls there are jambs, built-in closets, and a masonry staircase with 23 stone steps that allows access to the upper floor. Between the first and second floors, it was possible to create a trapdoor that was used as a secret hiding place during the period of brigandage or, alternatively, as grain silos.

The interior is divided in various small rooms. The typical rooms of the past have been reconstructed in the rooms with furniture and tools according to vintage taste, reconstructed through the testimonies of the oldest inhabitants of Alberobello. During the summer period , the Sovereign Trullo hosts events such as theatrical performances, concerts by small orchestras or jazz formations, evenings of culture and poetry or charity. It is also colored with light projections during the Light Festival. For its architectural uniqueness the building from 1930 is declared National Monument . You can visit this marvelous structure.
Museum of the Sovereign Trullo Opening hours

• 10:00 – 13.15 / 15:30 – 18:00 ( November – March)
• 10:00 – 13.15 / 15:30 – 19:00 (April – October)

Entrance

• Ticket: € 1.50

Trullo Sovrano is also a tourist information center, bookshop and garden tastings. For further information call: +39 080 4326030

The Church of St. Anthony

The Church of St. Anthony of Padua was built over a period of fourteen months and opened to the public on June 13th 1927. This early construction was the work of the priest Don Antonio Lippolis (1886-1972) who entrusted himself in planning to the engineer Signorile Bianchi and to the master De Leonardis. According to tradition, the priest seems scandalized by the spread of Protestantism and decided to build a new religious site as a symbol against heresies. This motivation justifies the speed with which the church was built. The church was dedicated to the Saint of Padua, defined in his time the “hammer of the heretics” .
Stylistically it refers to the construction technique of the trullo (with some modern devices) but also presents some elements of ‘ Romanesque-Pugliese architecture . In fact, the façade is dominated by a rose window and by three gables along which a series of hanging arches runs, very similar to the decoration of the Apulian Romanesque churches.

The central dome rises up high 19.80 meters and its momentum is even more accentuated, for another 3.20 meters, from the skylight around which rotate four small domes crowned by pinnacles. The monumental entrance leads into a very central so-called classroom, where it is surrounded by the simplicity and refinement of the rough stone. The only touch of color is visible on the wall of the high altar entirely covered by a affresco of the twentieth century depicting the Tree of Life with the majestic Crucifix. The work is signed by Adolfo Rollo. The same author signs the wooden panels that are placed on the left wall around the niche of Saint Anthony of Padua. Currently the church is run by the Guanellian Fathers. During the Easter period, Terra che vive, suggests to witness the living representation of the Via Crucis which winds through the alleys of the beautiful Alberobello. A suggestive show not to be missed! (Read our article on Easter religious events in Puglia ). Information for visiting the Church of Sant’Antonio da Padova: Weekdays:

• With daylight saving time (from 3 April 2017 to 28 October 2018): 6.20 – 19.45
• With solar time (from 29 October 2017 to 24 March 2018): 6.20 – 18.45

Saturday and Sunday:

• 6.20 – 19.45

For more information call: (+39) 049 8225652

The Siamese Trullo

The Siamese trullo is perhaps among the oldest trulli of Alberobello, if the epigraphic inscription of the portal is reliable, which dates back to 1400 as construction date. Apart from this fact, which leaves many historians in doubt, it is in fact that the trullo boasts great popularity and particularity. The compact and powerful structure of the masonry could confirm this remote origin, as the oldest trulli usually have a circular perimeter and many robust walls. The plant is almost elliptical and the trullo is built on a protruding rock, circumscribed by a buttress of large boulders.

The trullo has two domes linked centrally : on one of them stands a small dormer while on the other stands the sun symbol painted with lime milk. Inside there is a single hearth placed next to the door and there is no window. The trullo has two elevations that overlook two different streets (one on Via Monte Nero and the other behind Via Monte Pasubio). This strangeness is linked to the story of two brothers who lived together in the trullo and fell in love with the same woman. The anecdote tells that the woman had been promised to marry the firstborn but ended up falling in love with the younger brother. The three of them started to live under the same roof but the cohabitation, which became unsustainable, pushed the older brother, who took advantage of the right of first geniture, to drive away the two lovers. The younger brother did not accept this action, rather he protested and asserted his right of inheritance. In the end, he thought well to divide the trullo in half and create a second independent exit at the back.

Information The trullo was restored in 1997 and currently houses a souvenir shop.

How to reach Alberobello

Near Alberobello there are two airports that allow you to reach Puglia without spending a lot. Bari and Brindisi land companies low cost as Ryanair, AirDolomiti and Volotea . The nearest airport in Alberobello is Brindisi , but the best connected is Bari. The distance from Bari to Alberobello is about 70 km. If you do not want to rent a car or you do not want to drive, you have two options: the train or the bus. In the official website of the Ferrovie del Sud Est you can find all the information that can take you to Alberobello by train. Or you can ask for information in the central stations of Bari and Brindisi or at the airports information offices Puglia. Times of these, during the summer periods, are subject to variations. On the site Busradar you can find more useful information on buses and trains.

Where to stay in Alberobello

Contact us if you want information on where to stay in Alberobello or in the surrounding area. Terra che vive and Puglia put at your disposal different locations: characteristic trulli, ancient farms, b&b, 5-star luxury hotels and much more.

Where to taste typical products in Alberobello

If during your holiday in Puglia you want to brighten up your palate with an excellent selection of local food and wine products, you just have to contact us. We will take you to the right place! (Read our article on Antica Salumeria del Corso of Alberobello ). Our beloved land of Puglia, a living land ! Come and live it too, we are waiting for you!