A Trullo in Apulia
A Trullo near Ostuni; R Williamson; iPad sketch; 10/25
During a recent visit to Italy, specifically to the heel of the boot, I had the opportunity to stay for some days in a trullo, the vernacular architecture in the Itria Valley of the Puglia region (using the Italian spelling). Like a blend between something out of Middle Earth with a touch of Escher-like whimsey, the trulli dotting the sea of olive groves here can give the landscape a magical feel.
Built of stone blocks of tufa the origin of this building technique is many centuries old but the early history is vague. The dry stack construction is incredibly robust, like a stone igloo or beehive house.. What is built as a domed room, becomes a conical shape when viewed from outside once the outer skin of small limestone slabs is finished. A playful finial completes the top of the cone.
The ones that you see in the province now were built 200-300 years ago and used mostly as storage and temporary dwelling by the contadini during the times when they were working the olive orchards which surround them. Conversion of some to become temporary housing with modern conveniences is recent but any work must adhere to UNESCO World Heritage regulations. It was a treat to be able to stay in one.