Trulli District

Trulli District: Trulli houses (whose origins date back to at least the 13^th century) are some of the strangest structures in Italy—circular stone buildings, usually in small clusters, standing crisply white with conical slate roofs and whimsical, twisted chimneys. Outside ladders frequently lead to upper stories. Often several of these houses are joined together to form a larger complex. What a strange and fascinating sight—these beehive-like little houses intertwined with cobbled streets form a jumble of a small village that looks as though it should be inhabited by elves instead of real people. The heart of the Trulli region is Alberobello where there are so many Trulli houses (more than 1,000 along the narrow streets) that the Trulli district of town has been declared a national monument. Trulli houses are not confined just to the town of Alberobello though this is where you find them composing an entire village. In fact, the Trulli houses you see outside Alberobello are sometimes more interesting than those in the town itself. As you drive along the small roads, you spot gorgeous villas cleverly converted from Trulli houses, now obviously the homes of wealthy Italians. Others are now farmhouses with goats munching their lunch in the front yard. Occasionally you spot a charming old Trulli home nestled cozily in the center of a vineyard. But most fun of all are the Trulli homes of the free spirits: their homes, instead of displaying the typical white exteriors, have been painted a brilliant yellow, pink, or bright green with contrasting shutters.