ITINERARY ALBEROBELLO

TheTrullo Sovrano, built in Alberobello in the second half of the eighteenth century, it is the only Trullo with a raised floor. Today it is a private museum, which in the summer hosts theatrical events, concerts, and evening events dedicated to culture and poetry. Rione Aia Piccola is the oldest and most peculiar district in all of Alberobello. Indeed, it is a much less commercial neighborhood compared to Rione Monti, with the presence of about 400 trulli, distributed on eight streets. The Rione Aia Piccola, the name of which recalls a large open space used in the past for threshing wheat, is a very
characteristic area, thanks to its alleys, winding streets and suggestive corners, calling back to a magic and long gone atmosphere. Here you can visit the Museo dell’Olio, as well the craftsmanship-based Museo dell’Artigianato.Rione Monti extends south of the city, and is characterized by the presence of about 1000 trulli. It is another peculiar district, with streets and stairways, overlooked by the most beautiful trulli in Alberobello. The Chiesa di Sant’Antonio church, built in 1927, is located at the top of the Rione Monti hill. It is a trullo-shaped, church with an entrance dominated by a rose window.
The Territory Museum “Casa Pezzolla”, a unique architectural complex, is the seat of the Territory Museum “Casa Pezzolla” of Alberobello, composed of 15 communicating trulli, located on the eastern side of the historical Piazza XXVII Maggio.
TheTrullo Siamese consists in two cones which, merged centrally, symbolize a story of love and hate in which two brothers were once involved. Casa d’Amore was the first house built with the use of lime, when Alberobello became a royal city in 1797, thanks to the concession given by the king of Naples, who allowed to no longer build dry stone houses. Therefore, this structure represents an important moment in the history of Alberobello’s buildings. The north of Alberobello is populated by wonderful historical centres, definitely worth visiting. The historic centre closest to Alberobello is Noci, with its typical gnostre. These are dead-end streets, indeed proper “cul de sac”, present all over the entire historical centre. In November, gnostres are decorated
the local Festival of roasted chestnuts and new wine (Sagra delle Caldarroste e del Vino Novello). You may then continue north and reachPutignano. Its historical center, of circular shape, recalls ancient medieval cities,
protected by mighty walls. Archaeological studies point out that Putignano was a Peucet city with cyclopean walls, and later on in the 10th century, a new city wall was built to face the Saracen raids.
The relics of Saint Stephan were transferred from Monopoli to Putignano, to prevent the Saracen marauders from taking them over, and it is said that during the procession for their transfer the Propaggini were called, which are the
opening parties of the very well-known Carnival of Putignano, which animates the town’s streets in the month of February. Then you may continue from Putignano to Castellana Grotte, for visiting the
famous “grotte carsiche”. The White Grotta, in particular, is a true natural spectacle! Then, let’s move to the Adriatic coast, heading for the
birthplace of Domenico Modugno: Polignano a mare. The historic center of Polignano is a medieval village surrounded by high local stone walls. You should just stroll through the alleys, line the white houses, admire the marine panorama from one of the terraces in the center. The village was built in the Middle Ages on a high rocky outcrop, where the waves of the Adriatic Sea crash. The cliff is a
a succession of sea caves, coves, small bays and large rocky terraces.
Not far from Polignano is our last stop north of Alberobello: Monopoli The historic center of Monopoli, also built in the Middle Ages, between Norman and Swabian ages, is truly beautiful. Just explore the
alleys, get lost among squares and enter the cloisters, the internal courtyards, the true hubs of local life. Here you will find beautiful beaches, where you may
enjoy a beautiful sea! Now let’s discover the spectacular white villages
in the southern area. There are many spectacular historic centers south of Alberobello. The first one is Ostuni, also known as the Città Bianca (White City). The perched village of Ostuni is truly one of Apulia’s greatest wonders. From there you can admire the whole countryside of the Apulian Murge, with its infinite olive groves. The olive tree is the symbol of Apulia, and in these areas, olive oil is particularly tasty.
Let’s continue our itinerary in the surroundings of Alberobello, in the direction of Cisternino. The historic center of Cisternino is almost entirely white, like Ostuni. The low terraced houses, mostly on two floors, the intoxicating scents of good food and the tranquility of a still lingering past will make you fall in love with this village of the southern Murge. Like Alberobello, Cisternino Vecchia (the Old town) is defined by experts as one of the most beautiful examples of spontaneous Italian architecture,
meaning not attributable to a precise style or designer. The urban architecture of the Murgia, such as the characteristic white trulli and villages,
belong to an ancient tradition which can hardly be traced back in history. Leaving the historic center of Cisternino and getting back on the road, we find Martina Franca. Along the way you will meet a wonderful landscape dotted with farms and jazzi. Martina Franca is located in the Itria Valley, and is known for its many Apulian Baroque churches. In this regard, you cannot miss the Basilica Minore di San Martino, the highest expression of Martinese baroque. Built in the eighteenth century, it was erected where an ancient Romanesque church of the medieval age once stood.