They are extraordinary examples of dry-stone and slab construction, a technique dating back to prehistoric times and still used in Puglia.

Trulli are traditional dry-stone huts with roofs made of dry-fitted slabs. They generally served as temporary shelters or permanent homes for small landowners or agricultural workers. They were built from roughly worked limestone, extracted during excavations for underground cisterns, stones collected from the countryside, and surrounding rock outcrops.

These constructions feature a characteristic rectangular structure with a conical roof. The whitewashed walls of the trulli are built directly on limestone foundations using the dry-stone masonry technique, without mortar or cement. A door and small windows open into the double-layered walls with an incoherent core.

An internal fireplace and alcoves are set into the thick walls. The roofs are also double-layered: an internal vaulted lining of conical stones, culminating in a keystone, and an external waterproof cone made of limestone slabs, known as chianche or chiancarelle.

The roofs of the constructions often bear inscriptions in white ash with mythological or religious meaning, and they end with a decorative pinnacle intended to ward off evil influences or bad luck. Water is collected through eaves protruding from the base of the roof, from which it then flows through a channel to a cistern beneath the dwelling.

Although rural trulli are scattered throughout the Valle d'Itria, the highest concentration of the best-preserved examples of this architectural form is found in the town of Alberobello, with over 1500 structures in the Monti and Aja Piccola districts.

The 5 white towns: the trulli capitals of Valle d'Itria

Do you know the white villages of Andalusia and southern Spain? There are magnificent ones in Italy too, and we want to introduce you to all of them. The streets, buildings, and urban landscapes are the calling card of towns that tell a story and evoke emotions.

We've decided to take you to the beautiful white towns of Puglia, Italy! We will tell stories belonging to the white villages of Valle D'Itria, the beautiful Ascolano travertine, the giuggiulena stone, and the sandstone.

It goes without saying that all the white towns manage to convey serenity and give a pleasant sense to everyday life.

Take a deep breath and imagine walking through their alleys!

1. Alberobello

The capital par excellence of the trulli was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 for its architectural uniqueness and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful things to see in Puglia.

Let's tell you a little about its history!

About a thousand years ago (1,000 BC), the area of present-day Alberobello was dotted with rural settlements. These settlements developed to form the current districts of Aja Piccola and Monti. By the mid-16th century, the Monti district was occupied by about forty trulli, but it was not until 1620 that the settlement began to expand. In 1797, towards the end of feudal rule, the name Alberobello was adopted, and Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, King of Naples, granted the locality the title of royal city. After this period, the construction of new trulli declined. Between 1909 and 1936, parts of Alberobello were designated as protected cultural heritage monuments.

Precisely because of its rare beauty and uniqueness, Alberobello has been heavily targeted by tourism in recent years, and as happens in every besieged city, it has been spoiled by souvenir shops and tourist activities.

2. Locorotondo

Locorotondo is more than a town; it's a real gem!

Famous for its circular historic center, Locorotondo is worth a visit for many reasons, including its labyrinth of whitewashed alleys and its houses with pointed roofs, the trulli. Strolling through the small streets of the center, among arches and staircases, will be a surprising experience made even more magical by the numerous balconies decorated with flowers and plants. This explosion of colors blends perfectly with the white architecture, making this place truly unique in the world.

Another peculiarity of the place are the cummerse, houses with pointed roofs covered with limestone slabs called chiancarelle, where you can stay and have a truly unforgettable experience!

3. Martina Franca

Martina Franca, in the province of Taranto, is another spectacular village in the Valle d'Itria!

Here, the white color of the narrow streets and houses blends perfectly and radiantly with the Baroque style of the noble palaces, the Rococo of the Basilica di San Martino, and the wrought-iron loggias. Imagine that once the main streets connecting the city gates were made of black lava stone, while the smaller alleys were of white stone. A refined village that will know how to pamper you!

4. Cisternino

Another wonderful place in the Valle D'Itria is Cisternino, elected the most beautiful village in Italy. A labyrinth of narrow streets amidst the white of the dwellings with Arabesque touches, the blue doorways, and the small flowers make this place magical.

The village has the peculiarity of being divided into five districts with different names and characteristics: l'Isule, Scheledd, U' Pandene, Bbere vecchje, and U Bburie. A place to get lost in at least once in a lifetime!

5. Ostuni

Ostuni is probably the most famous of the white towns of Puglia.

The historic center, known as La Terra, is a labyrinth of alleys, small squares, courtyards, and staircases. It develops on the top of the highest hill, dominating the plain of olive trees stretching to the sea.

What strikes most is the whiteness of the houses and palaces. These buildings, as in the Middle Ages, are whitewashed. This is not only for aesthetic reasons, but above all for functional reasons.

Visit the white towns and trulli of Valle d'Itria with Pugliamare

Embark on our experiences and visit with us the iconic trulli of Valle d'Itria, savor the local culinary traditions, and immerse yourself in the splendid towns of this wonderful land.