The trulli, typical limestone houses of Alberobello in the south of Puglia, are extraordinary examples of dry stone construction slabs, a technique dating back to prehistoric times and still used in this region.

Trulli generally served as temporary shelters or as permanent dwellings for smallholders or farm workers.

These houses were built of coarsely worked limestone, extracted during the excavations for the construction of underground cisterns, stones collected in the countryside and from surrounding rocky outcrops.

Such constructions have the characteristic rectangular structure with conical roof set stones.

The whitewashed walls of the trulli are built directly on the limestone foundations and made with the technique of dry masonry, without mortar or cement.

The trulli, typical limestone houses of Alberobello in the south of Puglia, are extraordinary examples of dry stone construction slabs, a technique dating back to prehistoric times and still used in this region.

Between 1909 and 1936, parts of Alberobello were designated as protected monuments of cultural heritage.