Alberobello
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 26 September 2023
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The town of Alberobello is one of the most unique in the whole of Italy. Translated into English, the town's name means "Beautiful Tree" but its biggest draw by far is its wonderful Trulli Houses.
Distinctive by their conical roofs which often come painted with a variety of symbols. The Trulli of Alberobello have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 and this contributes to the town's status as one of Puglia's foremost visitor destinations. There are plenty of hotels in and around the town but the best places to stay in my opinion, are the Trulli houses themselves. |
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Trulli houses date back to around the 14th century and it is thought that their mortarless construction was a deliberate attempt to avoid any taxation that could be brought upon permanent housing. The fact that they could quickly be dismantled was a way of navigating around those rules. Almost resembling Hobbit's houses from Lord of the Rings, the Trulli are whitewashed on the outside, made from the local limestone and usually a single storey in height with a conical roof. Many of the roofs are adorned with symbols such as hearts or good luck charms to ward off evil spirits.
Since the town's popularity has soared in recent years, there are now dozens of genuine Trulli houses where you can spend your stay in Alberobello. The houses are comfortable and fitted with all the mod-cons you'd expect, but offer a unique experience and a peek into the region's history.
The Trulli zone occupies one side of the town and is certainly the most visited but away from there, this is a living, breathing town with a population of just over 10,000 people. This other side of the town is worthy of a visit in its own right with its interesting churches, restaurants and open public spaces.
Alberobello is situated in the Valle d'Itria which includes neighbouring towns such as Locorotondo, Cisternino, Martina Franca and Ostuni, each of which merit a visit. The Trulli houses can be seen throughout the Itria Valley and there are some particularly interesting examples of the architecture in nearby Selva di Fasano with its Trulli-style church.
One of the most popular excursions from Alberobello is to visit the Sassi in the town of Matera, across the regional border in Basilicata. It takes an hour by car to get there with many visitors choosing a half day in each location, equating to a sensible day-trip.
In terms of travel, Alberobello is almost equidistant between Puglia's two main airports: Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport and Brindisi Salento Airport. It also has its own train station but welcomes most of its visitors by car with ample parking areas at the edge of the Trulli zone.
Since the town's popularity has soared in recent years, there are now dozens of genuine Trulli houses where you can spend your stay in Alberobello. The houses are comfortable and fitted with all the mod-cons you'd expect, but offer a unique experience and a peek into the region's history.
The Trulli zone occupies one side of the town and is certainly the most visited but away from there, this is a living, breathing town with a population of just over 10,000 people. This other side of the town is worthy of a visit in its own right with its interesting churches, restaurants and open public spaces.
Alberobello is situated in the Valle d'Itria which includes neighbouring towns such as Locorotondo, Cisternino, Martina Franca and Ostuni, each of which merit a visit. The Trulli houses can be seen throughout the Itria Valley and there are some particularly interesting examples of the architecture in nearby Selva di Fasano with its Trulli-style church.
One of the most popular excursions from Alberobello is to visit the Sassi in the town of Matera, across the regional border in Basilicata. It takes an hour by car to get there with many visitors choosing a half day in each location, equating to a sensible day-trip.
In terms of travel, Alberobello is almost equidistant between Puglia's two main airports: Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport and Brindisi Salento Airport. It also has its own train station but welcomes most of its visitors by car with ample parking areas at the edge of the Trulli zone.
Comune di Alberobello
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Province: Metropolitan City of Bari
Region: Puglia Population: 10,331 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Total size: 41 km² Elevation: 428 metres Highlights: Trulli houses, Chiesa di Sant'Antonio di Padova Close by: Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Cisternino, Ostuni Recommended accommodation: Tipico Resort |
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Nearest train station: Stazione di Alberobello (town centre)
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Best airports: Bari Airport (66 km), Brindisi Salento (73 km)
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