11 November 2024
Alberobello is seen as the capital of the Trulli, and is home to about 1500 of these structure, some dating back to the mid-fourteenth century.
Trulli seem to be the first example of insulated buildings. So cool in summer, and warm in winter. The walls and conical roof are built with dry stone. No mortar is used, except some limestone fragments. These fragments form an insulating cavity that absorbs both heat and cold. The conical roof is built using limestone slabs. One view is that these structures were built as temporary shelter for cattle and/or farmers. But there is a more sneaky view that they were bult to avoid taxation. Because they didn’t use mortar, it was very easy to dismantle the struture, so uncle Taxman could not say that you owned a dwelling. All you had to do is remove one (or probably a few more maybe) rocks from the structure, and the whole things will come tumbling down. We didn’t try to do this with the Trulli in Alberobello. We figured people might get a little upset š
It is very refreshing to explore the streets of Alberobello. It is just so very different to almost any other place we have been to. Including the Trullo church at the top of the hill (yes – stairs – but it was worth it!)
Without a doubt, Alberobello has been one of our favorite places in Puglia.
