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What to see in one day in Alberobello
In the heart of the Itria Valley among the centuries-old olive trees, Alberobello is famous for its conical houses called Trulli, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1996.
Alberobello is one of those Apulian places to visit in any season of the year.
When visiting this fairytale town, one is fascinated by the beauty and culture of the trullo intended not only as an ancient home but as a concept of rural life.
Alberobello from its original name "Arboris belli", the forest or wood of the war tree, was liberated by the feudal queen of the King of Naples, Ferdinand IV of Bourbon in 1797.
Let's start our journey:
The Trullo Sovrano
You cannot come to Alberobello and not visit the Trullo Sovrano. Located in Piazza Sacramento, behind the minor Basilica of Santi Medici Cosma e Damiano, it was built from 1775 to 1780, the uniqueness of this "Trullo" is in being the only one built on two habitable floors, its splendid conical dome 14 meters high which stands imposingly in the center of a group consisting of twelve cones. Today inside there is a historical museum, not to be missed.
Minor Basilica of SS Medici Cosma and Damiano
It is located in Piazza Curri, it was designed in 1885 by the architect Antonio Curri, it is dedicated to the cult of SS Medici Cosma and Damiano, Patron Saints of Alberobello (27 September patronal feast). Its plant is in the shape of a Latin cross.
House Of Love
Along Corso Vittorio Emanuele you arrive in Piazza del Popolo with its war memorial, on the right is the Town Hall, while on the left we find Casa D'Amore.
Before the official recognition of the city by Ferdinand IV king of Naples, it was forbidden by the local Counts to build permanent buildings, they had to be built exclusively in dry stone. Casa D'amore clearly marks the transition from an "illegal" city to a royal city. As the Latin inscription on the pediment mentions: "By the royal authority, this building was the first to be erected". Francesco D'Amore, the owner of this house, was the first citizen to build his house in the city with the use of mortar, after this buildings and trulli were built extensively with the use of mortar, a compound of lime and "vuolo "a particular local land with a reddish color. In many ancient buildings that have not yet been renovated, it is still possible to see this particular type of binder that resists to this day.
Belvedere of Santa Lucia
Leave Piazza del Popolo behind you, you will find in front of you the Church of Santa Lucia, on the right there is the belvedere from which you can admire the whole monumental area of the trulli "Il Rione Monti" with its well over 1000 trulli. . An exceptional panoramic view from which to snap wonderful photos.
The Aia Piccola district
Leave the Church of Santa Lucia on the right, after not even 50 meters the Rione Aia Piccola begins, it is so called because once there was a threshing yard in the main square, here the local feudal lords demanded the tax on the harvest.
Walking through these streets you will feel surrounded by the many trulli, you will certainly have no difficulty in finding the most suitable one for your souvenir photo.
The Monti district
It is so called because each road takes the name of one of the mountains on which, during the First World War, the fighters of Alberobello lost their lives in battle. Coming from the Aia Piccola district, Via Monte Nero is located on the left, here you will find an Info Point at the Pro Loco where you can ask for tourist information. Continuing to climb the Monte Nero you arrive at the legendary "Trulli Siamesi" with the splendid legend that accompanies their strange double-sided structure, double pinnacle and without windows.
Continuing your walk you will be spoiled of the choice on the road to follow, are all enriched with souvenir shops, bars and B & Bs. He will not fail to taste some local specialties kindly offered by the owner, I recommend without exaggerating, the road is still long and moreover all uphill.
At the end of the climb, you have finally arrived at the Trullo-shaped Church of Sant'Antonio. You will be enchanted by so much beauty, even more so upon entering the Church.
It was built in 1927, its shape at the base is a Greek cross, on which stands a conical dome 21.50 meters high, built with the traditional trullo technique; the bell tower protrudes from the perimeter and rises autonomously with respect to the façade. An entirely Alberobellese project: Martino De Leonardis designer, master builders Tommaso Marzano and the brothers Francesco and Cosimo Romano. Leaving the church you can rest in the Villa San'Antonio right in front of you.
The Church of Barsento
For the more courageous, about 4 km from the center of Alberobello, stands the church of Barsento. The road to reach it is purely in the countryside with olive trees, cherries and almonds. Its history begins in 591, when the hard-working hands of the monks of Sant'Equizio built it at the behest of Pope Gregory the Great on the top of the hill overlooking the Pyrrhus channel. It is an important testimony of architecture Romanesque rock (centuries XI - XII ). The church attests to the original application of the traditional practice of dry stone constructions to the forms of religious architecture.
Today, the simple whitewashed walls, the small still functioning bell tower and the timeless atmosphere of the rock church create the perfect setting for the sacred promises of eternal love. It is our custom out of devotion to the Madonna to walk to the church twice a year.
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