From our editorial team
Alberobello -A place that seems to have come straight out of a storybook: a village full of houses with pointed caps, at least that's what the traditional trulli look like. The origin of this unique architecture is less romantic than it seems at first glance - it all started with a clever tax trick.
Alberobello is still home to around 1,400 of these special round houses, which have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. The white walls and conical stone roofs give the town an unmistakable appearance. The trulli of Alberobello tell the story of farmers who once wanted to evade the taxes of the Kingdom of Naples.
Rapid demolition without mortar
Giangirolamo II Acquaviva, who ruled the region as Count of Conversano in the 17th century, took advantage of a legal loophole. At that time, the kingdom levied taxes on the construction of permanent houses. To avoid these taxes, the count had his subjects live in temporary dwellings, the trulli. These were built without mortar and could be quickly dismantled if necessary in order to appear as unoccupied, temporary accommodation during royal inspections. A resourceful plan that is still visible in the cityscape of Alberobello today.
Thanks to this special architecture, Alberobello is now one of the most visited towns in Apulia. Some people even call the little town the "Disneyland of Apulia" because its fairytale architecture exudes a touch of magic. But the trulli are not just a tourist attraction, they also tell of the art of adapting to nature. In the hot summers, the thick limestone walls provide a pleasant coolness, while in winter the walls store the heat.
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Mysterious symbols on the trulli
A striking feature of many trulli are the esoteric-looking symbols painted on the roofs in white paint - a trident, a sun, signs of the zodiac. There are around 200 different symbols in total. Researchers have been studying the symbols for a long time, but there are hardly any written records that explain their purpose or origin.
The symbols can be divided into different categories, including primitive pagan and magical symbols, ornamental and grotesque symbols and Christian representations, which are particularly common. The sun, which can often be seen on the trulli roofs, stands for Jesus Christ, while the moon symbolises man.
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Activities in Alberobello
Anyone visiting Alberobello should take time to stroll through the narrow streets lined with souvenir shops and cosy cafés. One highlight is the trullo church of Sant'Antonio on Monte Pertica. With its 21 metre high conical dome, it is an impressive example of trulli architecture.
Another must-see is the Casa Pezzolla open-air museum, a collection of 15 historic trulli, which tells the story and architecture of these unique buildings. If you want to enjoy a breathtaking view of the "sea of trulli", head to one of the panoramic terraces and savour the view of the city and its whitewashed domed roofs to the full.
Car parks are available at the entrance to the town for a fee and it is advisable to stick to the parking time as controls are strict. Half a day is enough to explore the most important sights and be enchanted by the magic.
