Alberobello
##The trulli: a unique heritage in the world "The trulli of Alberobello represent a site of universal and exceptional value, as they are the example of a form of construction coming from Prehistory and survived intact, even in the constant use, up to our days". This is the motivation with which, in 1996, Alberobello, the Trulli Town, became part of the UNESCO Heritage. Immense artistic and anthropological heritage, with its almost 2000 trulli, Alberobello is the only built-up area composed of these dry-stoned houses, the main characters of a truly extraordinary history. Since the Prehistory, in fact, tholos, typical vaulted buildings whose use was to bury the dead, were spread in the Valle d’Itria. The history of Alberobello as we know it today, however, dates back to a more recent era. In 1797 the village obtained the title of royal city from the King of Naples Ferdinand IV of Bourbon. Alberobello name derives from the Latin "silva arboris belli", as an evidence of its farming past.
Why do trulli have this shape? The main reason was the prohibition of building permanent houses. What form should you choose to build temporary dry-stoned dwellings, easy to be knocked down in the event of a direct inspection? The answer is the cone, with a unique technique in the world and the use of local stone in various formats, from the largest “chianche” to the smallest stones to be filled in the walls, isolating them from weather conditions.
Even today, going around the narrow streets and visiting the trulli, it is possible not only to admire this technique, but also to have an idea of how the past was thanks to the stories of old people.
##What to see in Alberobello
Rione Monti: with more than 1000 trulli it is the largest trulli area, where you can take a walk among the souvenir shops. Walking along the streets that lead to the S. Antonio Church, you can discover fascinating places that keep unique stories, such as the Siamese (Twin) Trullo.
Aia Piccola: it is a still inhabited area and with no commercial activity. Silent and evocative, especially at night, it is made up of a network of narrow and winding alleys, where you can still sense a hidden past. Trullo Sovrano: it is the majestic trullo par excellence, the largest in the town, consisting of two floors communicating through a masonry staircase and a large garden. Today it is a Museum not to be missed if you want to discover life in the trulli with the help of a tour guide. The Trullo Sovrano is located in Piazza Sacramento 10, behind the Santi Medici Basilica.
Sant’Antonio Church: extraordinary trullo church, preceded by a staircase and overlooked by a rose window. It has a Greek cross plan and side chapels with pendentive covers, a bell tower standing on one side. The Sant’Antonio Church is located in via Monte Pertica.
Casa d’Amore: it is the first house built using lime (with the permission to use binding material and being so the first permanent house, unlike the trulli that arose as illegal and temporary dwellings). The Casa d’Amore is located in Piazza Re Ferdinando IV di Borbone, 3.
Saints Medici Basilica: it is the church dedicated to the Saints Medici Cosma and Damiano, patrons of the town and main characters of a century-old cult. The church houses their reliquary and the painting of the Madonna from Loreto. The Santi Medici Basilica is located in Piazza Curri.
Alberobello, the trulli town, is located in the heart of the Valle d’Itria, a strip of land that welcomes visitors with huge olive groves. Not to be missed in the neighborhood: Locorotondo, a characteristic town with a circular layout, as the name suggests, the Castellana Caves, a unique complex of underground karst caves, the Fasano ZooSafari with a carnival, a unique attraction for adults and children .
Do you want to learn more? Please ask for a guide.