Trulli

Trulli are rural stone constructions that can be found in the hearth of Puglia aroud the towns of Catellana Grotte, Locorotondo, Ceglie Messapica, Cisternino, Martina Franca, Ostuni and of course Alberobello the town of the trulli.

A trullo is built following a highly original method, it has a circular shape and made of dry stone with a cone-shaped roof. The walls are usually whitewashed and the cone is tiles with concentric rows of grey slates locally called "chiancarella". On top of the cone is surmounted by a pinnacle. Also the cone can have a symbol painted on which usually has an astrological or religious meaning.

The origin of the trulli constructions is unknown. Probably the cone shape is of Eastern inspiration and may have been adopted in Puglia to meet primitive building needs, as it is easy to construct. However, it is also possible that factors concerned with religious or magic may have let to its adoption.