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Alberobello: The Italian Fairytale-like Village

When looking at the sharp, round reef of a long series of small dimensional houses, you might be certain that you just entered the world of fairytales or hobbits. In fact, it is nothing more than the small town of Alberobello located in the Southern Italy – and everything is as real as possible.

Fragile as they might seem, most of the dwellings were built over 5 centuries ago and they are still inhabited by locals. Interestingly, some reef have certain symbols drew on them, from hearts to circles and ancient drawings. Also, the tiny houses, which are actually called trulli, are stuck to one another and their interior is rounded. The fireplace is built inside of the walls in order to maintain the heat.

What is even more interesting about the architecture is that none of the trulli have a foundation, nor do they require any mortar. It is a curious matter, considering the fact that, at the time the first houses were built, there had already been discovered much more effective architectural techniques in the area. One of the reasons, as legend says, is that if inhabitants who built their houses were dispossessed, their trulli could be destroyed easier. However, there is no evidence to prove whether this is true or false.

It was not until 1600 that the area – which, at the time, did not have a name – became a village. Although there were approximately 50 trulli already built, the appearance of a mill, an inn and a bakery brought many other families there. Then, they decided to name the small town Alberobello and so it remained up until today.

Alberobello can be visited anytime, especially due to the friendly locals ready to welcome tourists in their trulli. Due to its unique architecture, culture and history, as well as the scenery seen from the hill right next to it, Alberobello is a fairytale-like place that can easily impress any enthusiast who is keen on traveling.

Photo by Fabio/Flickr
Photo by Fabio/Flickr

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Photo by loriszec/Flickr

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Photo by cinziarizzo/Flickr
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Photo by Alessandro Demetrio/Flickr
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Photo by g_travels/Flickr
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Photo by ethomsen/Flickr
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Photo by Patrick M/Flickr
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Photo by Luca Moglia/Flickr
Photo by Luca Moglia/Flickr
Photo by Luca Moglia/Flickr
Photo by ethomsen/Flickr
Photo by ethomsen/Flickr
Image credit: Marionzetta/Flickr
Image credit: Marionzetta/Flickr
Image credit: Luca Moglia/Flickr
Image credit:Luca Moglia/Flickr
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Image credit: elevenItaly/Flickr
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Photo by ricmartínez/Flickr
Image by Photo by ricmartínez/Flickr
Image by Photo by ricmartínez/Flickr
Image credit: Flickr user emmajg
Image credit: Flickr user emmajg
Image Credit Flickr User lucathegalga
Image Credit Flickr User lucathegalga
Image Credit Flickr User Cinzia A Rizzo
Image Credit Flickr User Cinzia A Rizzo
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Photo by fabriziovirginia/Flickr
Photo by  Armando Leotta/Flickr
Photo by
Armando Leotta/Flickr
Image credit: Luca Moglia/Flickr
Image credit: Luca Moglia/Flickr

UnusualPlaces Field Notes

Location
Alberobello — map marks Trullo Sovrano museum, Piazza Sacramento 10/11, Puglia, Italy
Coordinates
40.78739, 17.2353
Access
Optional Trullo Sovrano museum visit: entrance from Piazza Sacramento; municipal visitor information says no reservation needed
Admission
Optional Trullo Sovrano house museum: €2.50 single ticket; this is not a town admission charge
Opening hours
Trullo Sovrano museum: November–March 10:00–12:45 and 15:30–18:00; April–October 10:00–12:45 and 15:30–18:30
Location checked
2026-09-23
Facts checked
2026-09-17

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