Minotel Lanzillotta

Symbols on the roofs

by sim1

There are a few types of symbols you can find on the roofs :

"primitive"for they constitute remains of ancient cults that were celebrated in the "woods".

A second group of symbols are defined "magic" because they're bound to astrologic signs imported by ancient oriental cultures.

And symbols like this one. They are the most common and numerous symbols. They go from a simple cross to Christ's monogram; from the symbols of the Passion of the Lord, to the initials of the "Santi Patroni" (protector Saints); from the eucharistic chalise to the signs of the monastic orders.

Your camera!

by sim1

Sunscreen! It can be burning hot here in the summer, certainly when you do like me, and visit Alberobello during the middle of the day. Sunscreen is certainly not a luxery around here, but an absolute must. Bring your camera and lots of film, because you will need it. Alberobello is very picturesque!

ALBEROBELLO, LOST BUT FOUND

by travelgourmet

"TRULY, THESE ARE THE TRULLI"

The mystery is gone. The word is out. There is more to see in Italy than Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, Sicily, Lake Como, Amalfi Coast. There is Puglia, and the town of Alberobello, the home of the trulli. The trulli are actually the homes of the townspeople. Now, the rest of the world is beginning to know about how these odd shaped, but artistic dwellings came to be.

As for the true origin, there are mixed reviews, with some saying 1,000's of years old and others saying around the fifteenth century, AD. In fact, the original trulli were disposable homes, yesterdays today enviornmentally perfect structures.

"LOVE YOU TRULLI"

The buildings are so unique, with the rounded homes and cone shaped grey stone roofs that originally were stacked one stone by one, till the top cap stone was in place. The reason for this has been described as " a way to tear down if need be".

The story goes that in the middle ages, fifthteenth century, It seems as if a tax was levied on anyone who built a home on the Kings land, so to save the tax, the Trulli simply built a home out of stone that had no mortar. If the tax collector, was spotted coming to their homes on the King's land, an alarm was sounded, and presto, no homes, no tax. When the tax collector past, without collecting a tax, the trulli rebuilt.
Today, no longer the King's land, cement mortar is used to make the homes a permanent structure.