Traditional cone-shaped buildings and the White City are among the exceptional architectural sights of this lush valley in southern Italy.
The Itria Valley is a picturesque bucolic area with quaint villages and dramatic vistas. Breaking up the green vegetation are the extraordinary cone-shaped trulli buildings which were constructed by 15th-century peasants. Visit Itria Valley to spend days traveling through the beautiful, intriguing terrain of this unique karstic depression valley.
Arrive in the charming town of Alberobello, which is famous for the trulli buildings that line its narrow streets. The Monti district of the town has around 1,000 of these exceptional buildings which were built dry, without the use of mortar.
Notice the overlapping circles of stones that make up the cone-shaped roofs, constructed in such a way that they could be easily disassembled if necessary. Spot the various symbols coating the stone roofs and admire the whitewashed façades and wooden portals. Many large houses are composed of several cones whose interiors are linked together.
Stay at one of the bed-and-breakfast trulli for an unforgettable experience. To get a sense of the trulli in their original state, head to the lesser-known Aja Piccola district. Another quiet haven is the nearby town of Locorotondo, where you can try its famous white wine.
As you approach nearby Ostuni, stop and appreciate the vista of its white townscape. Pass through the defensive walls and admire the 15th-century gothic cathedral. Baroque architecture graces the streets and elegant piazzas of Martina Franca, while the winding alleys of Cisternino never fail to enchant.
Itria Valley is located between Bari and Lecce in the region of Puglia in the southeastern corner of Italy. From Naples, travel east for 200 miles (321 kilometers) by car to get here in around 3 hours.
While visiting this part of Italy, check out the region’s scenic parks such as the Parco Nazionale del Gargano, the Parco Nazionale dell’Alta Murgia and the Parco Regionale Gallipoli Cognato Piccole Dolomiti Lucane.
