One of the first things visitors to Puglia are keen to know about are trulli, the cone topped houses that were originally used for storing grain, farming tools or even housing animals, but now being renovated as fully equipped modern homes.

The walls of a trullo are built using the dry stone wall method (i.e. without mortar) and can be up to 2m thick with the space between the inner and outer walls filled ensuring that the interior is cool during the hot summers and warm in winter. 

There are many myths surrounding the reason for the cone shaped roofs on "trulli". One theory is that it was a form of property tax evasion. By pulling on a rope attached to the "trullo", the owner could pull the building down when the tax collector was imminent and reassemble it once he had left!  

The symbols sometimes painted on the grey stone of the cupola are signs of good omen although their origins remain unknown. They may have been introduced by eastern settlers in Puglia, or be of Christian origin dating back to the first century.

Visit Alberobello, a UNESCO world heritage site, and the centre of 'trulli land' with a concentration of trulli many of which have been converted into shops and restaurants. 

Take a look at our website, we have some beautifully renovated trulli available for holiday rental.