Where to find them: the Itria Valley and surroundings areas
Did you know that in the Itria Valley (the area that includes the municipalities of Alberobello, Ceglie Messapica, Cisternino, Locorotondo and Martina Franca) surrounded by hills, olive groves and vineyards, there are the most particular homes in Italy?
They have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and are known throughout the world for their iconic shape. We are talking about trulli, the famous cone-shaped houses. If you have been to Puglia you will have seen hundreds of them, in Alberobello alone there are over 1500 of them, which every year attract visitors from all over the world.
The origins of these particular constructions date back to the prehistoric age.
It was in the Middle Ages that they reached their maximum development. In fact, it is said that in the 15th century, when southern Italy was part of the Kingdom of Naples, in this area the farmers favored by the local lords found an original way to avoid paying the tax on houses. They devised a particular construction technique that did not involve the use of mortar. In fact, since the trulli are interlocking, they do not require concrete reinforcements; therefore, every time the inspectors of the kingdom went to the current valley of Itria to collect payments, the farmers were not caught unprepared and by removing a few stones the structure of the trullo gave way leaving room for a pile of rubble which naturally could not be taxed.
The use of trulli over the time
The trulli had not only a residential function but also a storage area for farm tools and a shelter for livestock. Like many ancient homes, trulli are also buildings capable of being cool in summer and warm in winter thanks to the thick walls made up of a double layer of stones positioned at a distance from each other, thus obtaining an empty central part which acted as thermal insulation. . It is common to notice how the tip of the trullo is embellished with a pinnacle or a stone worked to obtain a religious or lucky symbol and it also happens to see symbols imprinted in white lime on the sides of the cone.
In Alberobello there is a unique trullo, the Trullo Sovrano, declared a national monument already in 1923. This construction dates back to the 18th century, located behind the church of Santi Medici Cosma e Damiano and built at the request of a priest, it is a notable testimony of how the art of trullo construction has developed over time. A complex of twelve cones with the 14 meter high Sovereign Trullo in the centre, the most important built with the aid of mortar and the only one with an internal masonry staircase to connect the two floors. It is currently a museum that can be visited every day and hosts numerous events in the summer.
Many trulli have been renovated and transformed into tourist accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts, holiday homes and farmhouses, offering visitors a unique and authentic experience. These structures are appreciated for their rustic charm and the comfort they can offer, thanks to renovations that often maintain the original elements, such as conical roofs and thick walls. Some trulli have been used as restaurants, local craft shops, and cultural centers, where events and exhibitions are held. These uses help preserve the region’s cultural and architectural heritage, while promoting the local economy.
Today these buildings do not respond to any of the uses for which they were built, but they tell us how the needs of the past are today true works of art. If you are curious and want to visit this area, Trippy has what you need to immerse yourself in this piece of Puglia rich in art and centuries-old traditions.
