In the heart of the Murgia dei Trulli, 50 kilometres (31 miles) away from Bari, a lovely spread of pinnacles announces Alberobello’s characteristic historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The old town centre, which has also been awarded the Touring Club of Italy’s Orange Flag, is entirely composed of trulli, traditional drystone huts whitened with quicklime and capped by conical bare-stone roofs. Crosses, pierced hearts, and zodiac signs decorate the roofs, maintaining the air of mystery that surrounds the trulli.
The Rione Monti, a maze of narrow winding streets with over 1,000 trulli, is the oldest part of the town, along with the Rione Aia Piccola. This area is home to the Casa Pezzolla, a complex of 15 interconnected trulli that today houses the Museo del Territorio, and the Trullo Sovrano, which stages performances and concerts.
Alberobello’s churches are even shaped like trulli. The Church of Sant’Antonio boasts a Greek cross plan and a cupola 21 meters high (69 feet). Another church that is worth a visit is the Basilica Minore dei Santi Medici, where you’ll find images of the Madonna of Loreto and patron saints Cosma and Damiano