I keep a list of the places I would like to visit one day. Many of them are charming little villages spread all around Europe which you can visit if you have a free (in our case, long) weekend. One of these places since a couple of years was Alberobello. You can imagine how happy I was when Ryanair launched direct flights from Berlin to Bari. This was a perfect choice for March. We spent three sunny days in the South of Italy, in the beautiful region of Puglia, drinking coffee outside, while Berlin was freezing at the temperatures below zero.
Alberobello, the city of trulli
In Alberobello, we lived in a trullo (plural trulli), a traditional Apulian dry stone hut with a conical roof. Trulli often bearing a symbol on the cone roof, which used to have religious or mystical significance and were meant to protect the inhabitants.
The town of Alberobello can be deservedly called the capital of trulli, here you can find whole districts containing dense concentrations of trulli, e.g. district Monti, district Aia Piccola. There are many different theories behind the origin of the design. My favorite one is that due to high taxation on property, the Apulians built dry stone trulli, so that they could be dismantled quickly when tax inspectors visited the area.
Recently, a large number of trullo houses have been restored and converted into guesthouses or restaurants. By the way, it is not easy to get a permission for restoration, as you have to comply with many regulations, because trulli are protected under the UNESCO world heritage law.
I love Italian cuisine. Though this is not rare that shortly after the sumptuous meal I get pangs of conscience and promise myself to visit gym more often. In Alberobello we have visited several places which I would recommend you.
Coffee and breakfast
Central Bar (Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 49, 70011 Alberobello BA, Italy), huge choice of various italian desserts and baked good, very good coffee.
Dinner
Trattoria Amatulli (13 Via Garibaldi Giuseppe, Alberobello, BA 70011, 70011 Alberobello BA, Italy) is a cozy, simple tavern run by a nice local family.
Pinnacolo (Via Monte Nero, 30, 70011 Alberobello BA, Italy, ilpinnacolo.it) turned to be our favorite restaurant in Alberobello, lovely service and good atmosphere. My friend said there she had the second best ravioli of her life. In summer, a garden is open and you can enjoy tasty food outside.
Drinks
Paco wines (via, Via Monte Nero, 2, 70011 Alberobello BA, Italy, wineinbox.it) was our shelter on our last evening in Alberobello. We ordered house wine, a splendid mixed cheese – meat platter and enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and hospitality of the owner.
L’Altro Café (Largo Martellotta, 12, 70011 Alberobello BA, Italy) became our salvation for the after-dinner late-afternoon drinks. In the small city of Alberobello it was difficult to find any bar which was open after 10 – 11 pm.
In general, when planning going out for dinner in Italy, check the opening hours. Most probably, the best restaurants are closed between 2 and 7 pm.
If you wonder that is the specialty of the Apulia region, try the following:
- Frisella, crunchy, dry bread baked in a stone oven with a drop of olive oil;
- Taralli, the Italian answer to the pretzel;
- Orecchietti, Apulia’s typical pasta named after its shape (“little ears”);
- Panzerotti are deep-fried pockets of dough filled with mozzarella and tomato sauce, which are also named after their shape, “la pancia” means “tummy”. They taste best whilst hot!
- Burrata (Italian, “buttered”), one of the most famous types of cheese, is made from mozzarella (outer solid shell) and contains soft cream inside.
I’ve always wanted to see the trulli, ever since I was a kid. The mosaic floor in St. Sabinus is gorgeous. And that pasta I need to work on my orecchiette skills!
They are indeed so cute and beautiful! And the restaurants inside with their delicious pastry dishes…Dangerous! So we come to Italy only for a couple of days)
Thank you. Worthwhile report.
Thank you 🙂