The Trulli of Alberobello

Alberobello, Italy

The trulli, typical limestone dwellings of Alberobello in the southern Italian region of Puglia, are remarkable examples of corbelled dry-stone construction, a prehistoric building technique still in use in this region. These structures, dating from as early as the mid-14th century, characteristically feature pyramidal, domed, or conical roofs built up of corbelled limestone slabs. Although rural trulli can be found all along the Itria Valley, their highest concentration and best preserved examples of this architectural form are in the town of Alberobello, where there are over 1500 structures in the quarters of Rione Monti and Aja Piccola.

The property comprises six land parcels extending over an area of 11 hectares. The land parcels comprise two districts of the city (quarters or Rione Monti with 1,030 trulli; Rione Aia Piccola with 590 trulli) and four specific locations. 

Trulli (singular, trullo) are traditional dry stone huts with a corbelled roof. Their style of construction is specific to the Itria Valley in the region of Puglia. Trulli were generally constructed as temporary field shelters and storehouses or as permanent dwellings by small-scale landowners or agricultural labourers.

The trulli of Alberobello represent a dry-stone building tradition, several thousand years old, found across the Mediterranean region. Scattered rural settlements were present in the area of present day Alberobello around one thousand years ago (1,000 AD). The settlements gradually grew to form the villages of present-day Aia Piccola and Monti. In the mid-14th century the Alberobello area was granted to the first Count of Conversano by Robert d’Anjou, Prince of Taranto, in recognition of service during the Crusades. By the mid-16th century the Monti district was occupied by some forty trulli, but it was in 1620 that the settlement began to expand, when the Count of the period, Gian Girolamo Guercio, ordered the construction of a bakery, mill, and inn. By the end of the 18th century the community numbered over 3500 people. In 1797, feudal rule came to an end, the name of Alberobello was adopted, and Ferdinand IV, Bourbon King of Naples, awarded to Alberobello the status of royal town. After this time the construction of new trulli declined.

The trulli of Alberobello have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.

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Founded: 15th century
Category: Historic city squares, old towns and villages in Italy

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Mike Fraser (3 months ago)
Stayed two nights. Francisco was amazing, booking for us 2 restaurants and recommending the best gelato we have eaten in Italy. Shower was great and beds comfortable.
Renae Lindsay (12 months ago)
Beautiful hotel depicting an authentic trullo. It was comfortable, genuine, secluded, quiet, and just right.
Sarah Shen (16 months ago)
Amazing well kept trulli home, thoughtfully and well furnished. Unique experience for our family. Breakfast was wonderfully and plentiful too
Georgi Polyakov (16 months ago)
We had a fantastic time in this place trying some local pulian wines and food! Mimmo, the owner of the place is such a friendly guy who definitely loves his job. Highly recommended place!
Malake Wehbe (16 months ago)
In one word Wow. Not only are the accommodations stunning, charming, fairytale like but wait till you meet the owners of this place. Wonderful family. Grandma, grandpa, brother, son, husband and wife all hands on deck to ensure you have the best experience and the most hospitable treatment. Mimo is the star of course and he made us feel home. They also have a wonderful bar with a great selection of wine and they really know their stuff when it comes to wine. I can’t wait to come back and you should absolutely stay there. Great value and well worth it
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