Trulli di Alberobello

where is it
Alberobello is in the Province of Bari, in Puglia, Southern Italia.

why it is a UNESCO site…
The “Trulli di Alberobello” were added to UNESCO's exclusive list of World Heritage sites in December 1996. Was impressed the UNESCO committee was the fact that these constructions, which are the fruit of prehistoric techniques and built more than half a millennium ago, are still almost entirely preserved and functional.

once upon a time
Alberobello started as an agglomeration of houses built by peasants who were sent to this area by the Counts of Conversano, the owners of the land, between the 15th and 16th centuries. The laws of the Kingdom of Naples at that time required every new urban settlement to have a royal authorization that was obtained upon payment of the taxes due. To avoid paying, the Counts of Conversano ordered their peasants to build temporary structures that did not have the stability of normal residences. This was the origin of the Trulli, which were built using a dry stone technique to facilitate their demolition; before, there were only oak trees where the Trulli now stand.

why you should visit
Alberobello is the only town in the world that was founded and grew as a land of Trulli, cone-shaped stone houses built without mortar. Visits have a dual purpose: on the one hand, it is an opportunity to appreciate an architectural landscape that is unique in the world and, on the other, you can experience what it was like to live some 500 years ago. In short, strolling among the Trulli of Alberobello, in this extent of extremely white cylinders with dark cone roofs, you will experience a great emotion that in itself is worth the trip to Puglia.

description
The Trulli of Alberobello are an example of human ingenuity and the ability to adapt; in effect, this was an area in which construction was forbidden. Thus, the expedient of “temporary” housing: the only plentiful construction material was stone and the Trulli were the solution found by the first peasants who arrived to colonize the ancient forest. From temporary housing to history; from a “squatters” village to the World Heritage List. The Alberobello community adapted to a difficult environment and grew despite a thousand difficulties, beginning with that of sanitation, but it was tenacious and succeeded in transforming its weakness into strength, conquering the right to admission to the World Heritage List for the uniqueness and beauty of its history. Techniques of renovation and restoration have done the rest and, while respecting the architectural authenticity of the patrimony, have made them perfectly habitable. Today, the Trulli are examples of organic architecture: you can have the full experience by renting one of these temporary residences.
 

points of interest
Stereotomy, the science that studies the forms to give the elements of a building so that it is stable, post-dates the period of the construction of the Trulli; yet, although the Trulli are simple built with stones, they conform to every rule of statics. In fact, the survival of these simple and ingenious architectural works is what qualified them for inclusion on the World Heritage List. And the irony is that they were meant to be temporary housing to avoid paying a royal tax.


useful information
The Museo del Territorio di Alberobello consists of a collection of continuous and communicating Trulli. This residential complex, known as “Casa Pezzolla” from the name of the property's owner, was acquired by the City of Alberobello in 1986 and it was completely restored to its original state between 1993 and 1997.
For information, hotel bookings, restaurants and guided tours, you can call +39.080/4322580 (hours: 10:00 – 20:00 Tuesday through Friday).
Just outside the inhabited area of Alberobello (800 metres) you will find the Oasi di Protezione della Flora e della Fauna Bosco Selva: comfortable trails through the woods allow you to see interesting botanical species that are typical of the Mediterranean area. After a visit to the old town centre of the Trulli, you can take a pleasant walk in this nature preserve.

Even though this book was published many years ago, “Un popolo di formiche” by Tommaso Fiore is not only a scenic postcard but, most of all, an homage to “the ant people” (the inhabitants of Alberobello) so “small” that, wresting this hilly land from the forest, the royal demesne and the baronial estate, succeeded in doing “what would have frightened a race of giants”.