Alberobello is located in the heart of the Valle dei Trulli. It was founded in the XV century by the Counts Acquaviva. It is a picturesque tourist and agricultural center formed largely by trulli that offer, in addition to a fairy-tale atmosphere , a remarkable architectural interest recognized in 1996 by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. In Alberobello there are about 1,500 trulli of various types.
The city of the trulli, occupies a land rich in calcareous stratified rocks, which provided the material for the construction of such a peculiar houses.
From the greek “tholos”, the trullo is a building with a circular plant with a dome-shaped cone at its summit.
Here a short itinerary to make sure you see all is worth a visit:
1. You can reach Alberobello by car or by train.
2. When you arrive in Piazza del Popolo, from the belvedere, near the church of Saint Lucia, you can admire the impressive sight of Rione Monti, where tiny streets of trulli climb the hill.
3. Along the staircase that runs alongside the belvedere, you can have a short break in one of the small cafés in Largo Martellotta. A good coffee, a granita with whipped cream, ice cream or a slice of cake will help to tackle the climb. In the small grocery stores you can get a sandwich stuffed at the moment. Try to ask whether there are the famous Panino Pasqualino …. (Michetti or rosette, salami, cheese, tuna and pickles).
4. Start going up along one of the tiny streets: Monte Nero, Monte San Gabriele and Monte San Michele. The most popular and full of small shops is Monte San Gabriele, the most peaceful and beautiful is Monte Nero.
5. To the top of the Rione Monti there is the church of St. Anthony, recently restored. The visit is short, because the church is small, but delicious. Along the way you can stop to visit some free trullo. Do not miss the gardens!
6. You can go back in Largo Martellotta, perhaps through another street. They are almost all reserved for pedestrians, even in winter. Most are paved with stone steps …. Attention!
7. Keeping your shoulders to the Monti Streets, on the right you can glimpse the Villa Comunale. You can walk through it, to reach the Rione Aia Piccola, which is the oldest part of Alberobello. In this area there are no shops, but it will give you a better idea, of how living there was like.
8. Among the small Aia and Piazza del Popolo, there is the museum. You can recognize it because the outside walls there are giant posters of famous writers (Pasolini and D’Annunzio).
9. In Piazza del Popolo, you can also admire La Casa D’Amore(the house of Love), which is the first house built with mortar (the trulli are not). Usually it hosts an exhibition with free admission.
10. From Piazza del Popolo you can walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, to get to the church of Santi Medici, pilgrimage site.
11. Behind the church of Santi Medici, there is the Trullo Sovrano. It unique in the world for its architecture. It is the only one with 2 floors and it is visited by thousands of guests.
12. If you want to spend the night in Alberobello, it can be suggestive renting (as bed & breakfast) a small trullo. There are many, all over the village and it is easy to find the agencies that rent them.
13. If you want to taste the flavors of Alberobello, do not miss the dairy products (especially burrata and mozzarella), the taralli, the focaccia, the cakes with almonds and the wine (there are at least 3 wineries).
14. In the area around Alberobello you can visit the countryside, with its vineyards, olive groves, almond and cherry trees.
To spend a holiday in Alberobello click here.
