It is hard to age our trulli. Our best guess is that they are about 100 years old. Like most trulli, it would have originally been used for the farmer and his family to live in and for storing olives and olive oil. When we found the trulli it was in a dreadful state, with overgrown plants and damp everywhere, it hadn't been touched in at least 50 years. We found evidence of where the oven would originally have been as the stone was charred.

The trulli have been restored, using as much of the original stones that were scattered around the site as possible and with local stone brought in to finish the job. The cones are original. Parts of the walls are 2 metres thick! We have sought to restore, keeping as much historic integrity as possible. Thus hand cut stonework has been retained on all the original walls. The floor has been re-laid over under floor heating, but with original stone in a correct pattern. We didn't want radiators on the walls as original trulli would not have had them.

Trullo Alto

Trullo Olivo

When thinking of southern Italy, everyone's first thought is "hot". In summer the thick walls and high cones ensure the trulli remain cool on even the hottest days. The nights in months like April and October can be cold even though the days are warm, so we have installed effective heating! We want to be able to use it ourselves all year round and not close it up for the winter, so we strive to make it really comfortable, a true home, not just a summer holiday place.

Trullo Alto master bedroom		Trullo Olivo barbeque
Trullo Alto kitchen		Trullo Alto dining room
Trullo Olivo living room		Small part of Trullo Alto's "garden"
Olive trees		Poolside

All doors and windows have been hand made by a local carpenter. Mass produced items could have been adapted, but we did not want to change the original openings. Oak has been used rather than pine as oak was originally more common.

We have installed solar heating and hot water as this is much more environmentally friendly. All electrical work and plumbing are brand new.

Trullo Alto master bathroom under the cone

Front door to Trullo Alto

One of our many olive trees

Trullo Alto is the bigger of the two trulli. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, one en-suite. The master bedroom with en-suite has a double bed. The other two bedrooms each have twin single beds. One of the original cones is over a bath, making one of the most unusual bathrooms you are likely to see. All of the living area from floor to ceiling is completely original with a "pingnon" (vaulted) ceiling. It sleeps up to six comfortably. More photos of trullo Alto

Trullo Olivo is next door. There is a master bedroom with a double bed and a second bedroom with twin single beds. More restoration was needed here, but again everything has been crafted in sympathy with the original design, including a "pingnon" ceiling in the living room. It easily sleeps four. More photos of trullo Olivo

Separate or Together? Each trullo has its own driveway entrance, parking and large patio area with steps down the shared pool so there is total privacy and two metre thick walls make sure there is no noise interference! The swimming pool (see later) is exclusive to the two trulli, so it is practically your own private pool. A fun way to visit the area is to go with friends, maybe another family, two couples or just a larger group. As the trulli are next door to each other it is easy for a group of ten to share the holiday together, for example around the pool or on either of the large patios for outside dining and still have the right amount of privacy.

View over trulli		Pool
Neighbours (telephoto)		Neighbour (telephoto)

More Trulli Photos