Get to Know the Architecture of Puglia: Trulli

Puglia: The sun-drenched heel of Italy’s boot, where time slows and tradition thrives. A growing wine destination (think bold Primitivo wines) where ancient olive groves stretch toward the horizon and whitewashed hill towns reflect the Mediterranean sun. It’s the birthplace of orecchiette pasta. And among its many treasures, Puglia is home to one of Italy’s most fascinating architectural wonders: the trulli.

We’ve already covered the Apulian food and wine scene in some of our past features. From “5 Experiences in Puglia for Food and Wine Lovers,” to “A Taste of Puglia: Orecchiette,” to “5 Puglia Wines We Love,” there’s plenty to get your taste buds ready for this region. But beyond its rich food and wine scene, Puglia’s landscape holds another marvel that draws visitors from around the world— the iconic, conical-roofed trulli. These whimsical whitewashed structures look like something from a fairy tale, yet their history and purpose are deeply rooted in practicality and tradition.

While you may have seen photos of these famed structures before, you may have guessed they were from Greece. In actuality, the trulli are unique to Puglia. Read on to learn more about their uncommon structure and some theories about why early Italians constructed their houses in this very special way.

What are the famed trulli?

Trulli are known for their unconventional shape, but also for the limited materials required to make them. The trulli are entirely composed of stone, including their cylindrical (sometimes square) bases and conical roofs. Unlike most brick or stone buildings, traditional trulli require no mortar between the stones to hold the structure together (known as dry stone masonry). In the trulli, cylindrical and conical architectural shapes mean lateral opposition and gravity hold the stones in place. These special buildings rely only on their shape for structural integrity.

Some trulli houses that are still standing date back to the 14th century. And while these structures are scattered all throughout the Itria Valley in Southern Italy’s Puglia region, the highest concentration of trulli are found in the town of Alberobello. There are more than 1,500 trulli in Alberobello, specifically in the Rione Monti and Aja Piccola quarters.

While materials like wood were harder to come by in Puglia, there is plenty of stone. This is why most of the trulli are made from either local hard limestone or calcareous tufa. It’s believed these types of buildings go back for thousands of years, with the general idea of their structure coming from the Stone Age. And while a single building is called a trullo, you’ll mostly hear them called trulli as they were most often built in groupings or clusters. If built in the countryside, where there was more room for a wider floor plan, the trulli were sometimes created in connected clusters of one or two dozen to meet the demands of a large, rural family. In these larger groupings, each trulli represented a single room within a larger house.

But why were these structures made here? The most popular (and perhaps sneakiest) theory relates to historical property tax laws. The theory goes that high taxation in the 17th century led to Apulian people building houses that could be easily dismantled and rebuilt in new locations to avoid tax inspectors.

Iconic Aspects of the trulli

Perhaps the most fascinating part of trulli construction are the different ways stones are utilized. But the decoration of the buildings is also noteworthy, whether entirely whitewashed, or adorned with traditional symbols. Here are some of the key things to look for when exploring the trulli.

Roofs

Trulli roofs are made up of two distinct layers of stones, called “skins.” The inner skin (or “chianche”) is comprised of stone voussoirs that are wedge-shaped and are typically used when constructing arches. The outer skin (or “chiancarelle”) is made up of another layer of stones, but these are placed so that they tilt outward, guaranteeing a watertight roof.

Pinnacles

The pinnacles that sit atop the trulli roofs are truly a display of individuality and style. Most commonly seen on the trulli in the town of Alberobello, these hand-carved stone pinnacles can sometimes resemble chess pieces. Designs include stone balls, cones, disks, and other shapes, stacked on top of one another into a unique final design. While mostly ornamental, it’s also believed the pinnacles could deter evil forces.

Painted Symbols

While most trulli have whitewashed bases, some, especially in Alberobello, display whitewashed symbols on their roofs. Many of these symbols feature Christian iconography, such as crosses or a cross within a heart struck by an arrow.

How to experience the trulli today?

Today, these ancient structures have been lovingly preserved, and many have been transformed into charming boutique hotels, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the magic of trulli life firsthand. Wander through Alberobello’s storybook streets, where clusters of whitewashed trulli create one of Italy’s most enchanting skylines. Climb a rooftop for a panoramic view of conical stone peaks, explore the UNESCO-listed quarters of Rione Monti and Aja Piccola, and then end your day at a local trattoria, savoring fresh orecchiette with pesto as the sun sets over this unforgettable landscape.