Alberobello

The city of trulli

Alberobello is rather touristy, but with two swatches of the townscape made almost entirely of trulli (and the rest of the town also simple and whitewashed), it is a sight to behold and a joy to wander—and a UNESCO World heritage site.

Alberobello is spread on two hills, and across from the main part of town is the slope known as Rione Monti, the larger of the two trullo zones with scrubbed clean stone pedestrian streets and loads of character. Most of Rione Monti's trulli are now souvenir or craft stands (though some are also available for rent, and cheaper than the hotels—which is awesome); if you want to see a more genuinely residential trullo zone, had behind Piazza XXVII Maggio through Piazza Plebescito for the Aia Piccola district.

Alberobello's sights

The 18th-century Trullo Sovrano, on Piazza Sacramento, was the only trullo built with two stories. Originally a seminary, it was bought by a local family who returned from America with modest riches and set it up as a house. Admission includes a free guided tour through rooms kitted out as they would have been two generations ago. It's open Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and 3:30 to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:30am to 1pm and 3 to 8:30pm.

The Museo del Territorio, on Piazza XXVII Maggio, opened by UNESCO in a linked set of five trulli, is a bit bare as yet, but they have calls out the locals to donate old traditional furnishings, household good, and farm implements. It's open daily 10am to 1pm and 4:30 to 7:30pm.
Piazza XXVII Maggio, tel. +39-380-411-1273, www.alberobellocultura.it

Tips & links

Useful links & resources

Alberobello tourist office:
Via Monte Nero 3
tel. +39-080-432-4419

Rent a trullo

If you are going to spend the night in the area, I would rent a trullo here in Alberobello. There is simply no better way to get a feel for this ancient part of Italy than sleeping in your own prehistoric house right in the middle of town. » more