Few Words about Alberobello

In 1797 Alberobello became free of the rule of the lords of Conversano by decree of the Bourbon king Ferdinand, following representations from the townspeople.

Alberobello situated upon two hills, once separated by a riverbed. On the eastern hill is the new town, with modern architectural features, subdivided into two districts: Monti and Aia Piccola.

This site has a fascinating history that is unique to it. The "Trullo", creation belonging to the sun and the wind, was born in the year one thousand, but the first findings in the lands of Apulia go back to the 17th century.

The Architecture

The architecture of these small buildings was created to use the simple building material available, and is therefore constructed of the local stone. They have rectangular, square or circular foundations, with cone shaped roofs and terraces used long ago to dry the prickly pears so common to the region. This type of structure serves to keep the internal of the building always dry and fresh.

The trullo dwellings are dominated by the external use of sheets, the chiancole, which cover the conic roof and create a wonderful urban centre.

The dry-stone walls, allowed to enjoy a constant temperature inside the house, thanks to air chambers existing between one stone and the next, capable to absorb the thermic range.

Rione Monti and the Aia Piccola

Before World War II, Benito Mussolini destroyed part of residential Monti to build the dei Fori Imperiali, which connects the Colosseum to Piazza Venezia. He thought this would take Rome toward modernity, but the construction destroyed about 30% of the neighbourhood. Despite this, the district has maintained its flavour. Monti is one more reminder of Rome's eternal character.

During Dark Ages, the warring families of the city built fortified towers to show their wealth. By the end of the 13th century, Rome had 200 such towers. Today, only about a dozen remain--five in Monti. The most famous, the seven-story, brick La Torre delle Milizie, was built 800 years ago as part of a fortress by Pope Gregory IX.

Most of its streets are reconstructed in the late 19th century. The relics ranging from urban architecture of the imperial age to medieval churches and basilicas, reveals the great historical background. Monti is also particularly rich of medieval features of religious inspiration.

Aia Piccola meaning - threshing yard - recalling a farming past use of the area, has about 400 trulli.

These two areas of narrow streets lined with trullo houses brought them into the World Heritage list.