Alberobello, a city in the Puglia region of Italy, is one of the most unique destinations in the world. Commonly known as the “heel” of Italy, Puglia was not typically known as a tourist destination. However, in the last twenty-five years, its popularity has increased dramatically. So it’s no longer the quiet out-of-the-way place it once was. That said, I do think Alberobello is worth a visit because of these unique homes known as trulli.
For years Italians have been going to the towns in Puglia as vacation destinations, and recently UK and American buyers have started to purchase property in Puglia. Although the city of Bari is the capital of this region, the town of Alberobello is the trulli capital, and that is why it’s so unique.
Trulli are whitewashed dwellings made of limestone with cone-shaped roofs, and they only exist in and around Alberobello. Trulli have become one of the symbols of Puglia, and Alberobello, with its 1500 trulli, gained distinction as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1966.
Alberobello sits on two hills that are separated by what was once a riverbed. The eastern hill is designated as the new part and the western hill is the old part, where the majority of the trulli exist. First constructed in the middle ages in order for the townspeople to avoid paying a tax, these dwellings were built without mortar so that they could be quickly dismantled and moved. Once the tax collector had come and gone, the homes were reassembled.
These structures are cool in the summer and warm in the winter and are in high demand. Most are whitewashed each year and many are painted with religious or zodiac symbols.
The two main districts in Alberobello are the Rione Monti district and the Rione Aia Piccola district. The Rione Monti district is larger with 1030 trulli and the most touristy, located on a hill. Some of the oldest trulli are in this district. There is one trullo (singular) here called the trulli siamesi. It has no windows and is double shaped with a low hearth and all within one enclosure. I was sad to see how many of the trulli in this section have become tourist shops, making the area more commercialized than it once was.
In this district is the 20th century trullo church, erected in 1926. The Church of San Antonio is in the shape of a trullo, made entirely of stone, and its trullo-shaped dome is 215 feet high.
The Rione Aia Piccola district is much smaller and more authentic. Here there are mainly private homes and no shops, and it is really a place where people live. Not commercialized, this area had far less crowds and is much more tranquil.
There are approximately 400 trulli here, and as I walked up and down the streets I could see people doing their day to day activities as in any other village.
Today these homes are some of the priciest real estate in Italy, due to the novelty value. On a recent search, I found an authentic trullo home, completely renovated, for sale in the Aia Piccola district in the heart of Alberobello at the reasonable cost of €260000. Check out the listing with photos here.
Trullo Sovrano is located in the modern part of Alberobello and is the only 2-story trullo in this area. It is the tallest trullo and has 12 cones. It was built by the family of a priest and the interior rooms have been recreated to show a kitchen, bakery and a bedroom. There is also a museum inside.
Due to the high demand of tourists to experience staying in one of these dwellings, developers in the nearby village of Fasano have built luxury villas advertised as “a luxury trullo with pool.” Some of these villas which can accommodate eight people rent for as high as €10000 for one week in the peak month of August.
Best visited by car, Alberobello is truly one of the most unique destinations in Italy, and well worth a visit, although I’d definitely avoid the summer months if possible.
Have you been to Alberobello? I’d love to hear about your experience, so please consider leaving a comment.
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