The Trulli of Alberobello

The Trulli of Alberobello
Alberobello, the capital of "Trulli", has some 1500 examples of these unique dwellings.

The history of this unusual town dates back to the second half of the XVI century, which then, was under the control of the Acquaviva family. It began to be filled up with farmers who turned the land fruitful.

King of Naples

During his reign the house tax raised to its peak thus the farming community. It struck to a farmer to build a house with a single stone, which functions as key stone. It is placed right at the top with a hole in the middle, which is pulled down with a rope upon the visit of the Royal Inspector. The urban conglomeration required the payment of a tax. This trick allowed sparing this unjust tax.

II Theory:

The next version talks about the then Feudal Lord, Conversano who wanted such a structure to collapse the house of tax defaulters.

Theory III

From 1600 to 1797, the control of the Counts oppresses the population that, tired of being exploited and over-taxed, begun to gather secretly to find away to get rid of their slavery. There are stories about the Count Giangirolamo, describing how he was used to wait on the balcony of his palace and watch the women go to the "foggia", a natural well, to take some water; they put it into big jars, and then walked back home carrying them upon their head. The Count shot to the jars, just to enjoy himself, and sometimes he strokes the women too.

It was the year 1797 and a group of brave people from Alberobello, tired of their precarious condition, went to Taranto to ask for help to king Ferdinando IV of Bourbons who listened and made a promise.

On the 27th of May 1797, the king sent a Decree to free the little village. The trullo dwellings with the conic roof created a wonderful urban centre, unique in the world.