A unique city! Alberobello is a city like from a fairy tale!

Italy is home to many unique cities that tell their stories through architecture and history. One example is Palmanova, a city with a perfect star shape, designed as a Renaissance utopian fortress city. A similar peculiarity is found in Civita di Bagnoregio, called the “dying city“, located on a fragile volcanic rock. But among all these unusual places, one stands out with its fairy-tale appearance and unique buildings – Alberobello, the city of Trulli. This small town in the Apulia region is famous for its conical-roofed houses, which look as if they belong to another time, perhaps even another world.

Alberobello, Photo: AndrewMayovskyy Depositphotos

The story of Alberobello dates back to the 17th century when feudal lords from the Acquaviva d’Aragona family settled peasants in the area, but with one very specific request – that the houses be built without using mortar. The reason was very practical: in order to avoid paying taxes on permanent settlements, the lords ordered that the houses could be easily dismantled in the event of an inspection. This gave rise to a unique architectural style in which the trulli were built using the dry-stone technique, using only limestone collected from the surrounding karst areas. What was once a method of tax avoidance is now recognized as an invaluable cultural heritage, and Alberobello was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.

Alberobello, Photo: fokkebok Depositphotos

Walking through the streets of this magical place, it is impossible not to feel the special spirit that the trulli houses bring to the environment. Their white walls and gray conical roofs are decorated with mysterious symbols, some of which originate from Christian iconography, while others are associated with pagan beliefs and esotericism. These symbols, painted with lime, were added to protect homes from evil spirits or bring good luck to the families who lived there. The most famous part of the city is the Rione Monti district, where there are about 1,000 trulli, while Aia Piccola is a somewhat more intimate and authentic part, as it is where the daily life of the local population still takes place.

Alberobello, Photo: RubinowaDama Depositphotos

Among the most interesting buildings is the Trullo Sovrano, the only two-story trullo in Alberobello, which now serves as a museum and shows the traditional way of life of its former inhabitants. There is also the Church of St. Anthony, built in 1927 in the trullo style, which is a rarity among sacred buildings. In addition, visitors can explore the Museum of the Territory, which offers an insight into the history of the region through artifacts and documents related to the development of this unusual settlement.

Church of St. Anthony, Alberobello, Photo: marcorubino Depositphotos

Today, Alberobello is one of the most visited places in southern Italy, and the trulli have become a symbol not only of this town but of the whole of Apulia. Although they were once built out of necessity, today they are carefully preserved and under state protection, ensuring that their story will continue into the future. A walk through this town feels like a journey through time, to a simpler but equally fascinating era, where tradition and construction methods have managed to survive the centuries and enchant all who visit.