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Just-Imagine!
Tuesday 23rd Dec - I know I'm getting a little repetitive, but ever since I saw this place on a TV program I have wanted to visit it in real life, so this was our chance as its only a short train trip from Bari. It's a picturesque village that is another World UNESCO heritage site for its unique "trulli" houses that have cone shaped roofs.
The history behind them is, once the whole town where just of trulli and being typical Italian - they were designed to fiddle taxes and fool the authorities. A lord moved his peasant workers here to clear land, but to avoid laws and taxes it was important that the town wasn't classed as an inhabited settlement. So until 1797 when Alberobello as given town status, the people had to live in the trulli that could be quickly dismantled when needed.
Tax avoidance in Italy is still evident today, I was told during our last visit that people avoid taxes by not completing their houses, that's why you see so many unfinished houses being lived in!
Back to the trulli houses - one was only 14 square meters in total and with a family of seven living in it - 3 slept upstairs, 4 down stairs, the kitchen was the size of a closet and toilet outside. The walls are white washed limestone and the roof is like a grey slate stone stacked into a cone shape. Some have painted Christian symbols on the roofs which is recent addition this century, and clay pots which I'm not sure why. As you walk up and down the street of houses many have been turned into tourist shops with food, wine, ornaments & local crafts. Away from these main streets you have the opportunity to walk past many that are private residents, while walking past the houses it's easy to think an Oompa Loompa or elf might pop his head out the door to say hello.
Alberobello - which actually means "beautiful tree" in Italian, is a truly remarkable place to see, I'm so glad we had the chance.
The history behind them is, once the whole town where just of trulli and being typical Italian - they were designed to fiddle taxes and fool the authorities. A lord moved his peasant workers here to clear land, but to avoid laws and taxes it was important that the town wasn't classed as an inhabited settlement. So until 1797 when Alberobello as given town status, the people had to live in the trulli that could be quickly dismantled when needed.
Tax avoidance in Italy is still evident today, I was told during our last visit that people avoid taxes by not completing their houses, that's why you see so many unfinished houses being lived in!
Back to the trulli houses - one was only 14 square meters in total and with a family of seven living in it - 3 slept upstairs, 4 down stairs, the kitchen was the size of a closet and toilet outside. The walls are white washed limestone and the roof is like a grey slate stone stacked into a cone shape. Some have painted Christian symbols on the roofs which is recent addition this century, and clay pots which I'm not sure why. As you walk up and down the street of houses many have been turned into tourist shops with food, wine, ornaments & local crafts. Away from these main streets you have the opportunity to walk past many that are private residents, while walking past the houses it's easy to think an Oompa Loompa or elf might pop his head out the door to say hello.
Alberobello - which actually means "beautiful tree" in Italian, is a truly remarkable place to see, I'm so glad we had the chance.
- comments
Pam Batten Great Photo
Pam Batten Just catching up on your blogs. Alberobello certainly looks a very interesting place to wish. Great photos.
Raelene Mariani Beautiful place, really enjoyed seeing this town
Raelene Mariani The one thing that annoys me in photos is the cars !!