Albergo S. Antonio

Symbol on the roof

by sim1

It's a bit less clear in this picture, but you can also see a symbol on the roof as well. It's fascinating to watch all these little details, and see all the differences between the trulli. None of them is the same.

Ostuni

by sim1

Not far from Alberobello is the city of Ostuni. The "white city" of Ostuni is built above the green terraced fields. The city is such a beautiful sight from a distance. It is sitting up on the top of three neighbouring hills, and all the houses are perfectly whitewashed. I know I was in Italy, otherwise I would never believe it. It doesn't look Italian to me at all!

Ostuni is the main city of the pre-Roman Messapii tribe, and its compactness is reminiscent of a Greek town - as is its name which comes from the ancient Greek "Astunéon" meaning "new fortress".

Alberobello

by Tunda_F

"trulli capital"

During the 16th century the "bassa murgia" (lands between Bari and Brindisi) were full of mediterranean forrests.Sylva Arboris Belli :forest of the trees of the war that is the Oak-grove.We are into the medioeval age,and this part of Italy was quite out of the big battles between the Empires of Europe,out of the dualism Emperor/Pope,far from the big center as Rome or Florence or even Bisanzio.The population here was composed by poor people,above all farmers.Saracen Pirates used to come to visit these shores just to take a look,some slaves,a bit of food and rapes.The owner of any pruduct of this dirt,people included,was the Count of Conversano that In order to control his lands prohibited building anything using the mortar.This is an ordinary tale of the human being,these is the way the systems find out their own balance.If something is necessity a way will be found.A "trullo" is a country house built "a secco",dry,without mortar.With its diameter of no more of five meters each and the top in the shape of cone,one only entrance small one or two small windows and one fireplace each.There are thousands of trulli in the countries of the towns of Castellana,Putignano,Cisternino,Martina Franca,Fasano,Locorotondo...and so on (take a look at the map),but Alberobello is the only town made by Trulli,that is the only Trulli Capital...