Alberobello | ||
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Comune | ||
Comune di Alberobello | ||
Three trulli
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Location of Alberobello in Italy | ||
Coordinates: 40°47′N 17°14′E / 40.783°N 17.233°E | ||
Country | Italy | |
Region | Apulia | |
Province / Metropolitan city | Bari (BA) | |
Frazioni | Coreggia, Pantanelli, San Leonardo | |
Government | ||
• Mayor | Michele Maria Longo | |
Area | ||
• Total | 40 km2 (20 sq mi) | |
Elevation | 416 m (1,365 ft) | |
Population (31 July 2015) | ||
• Total | 10,751 | |
• Density | 270/km2 (700/sq mi) | |
Demonym(s) | Alberobellesi | |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
Postal code | 70011 | |
Dialing code | 080 | |
Patron saint | Saints Cosmas and Damian | |
Saint day | 27 September | |
Website | Official website |
The Trulli of Alberobello | |
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Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List | |
Location | Italy |
Type | Cultural |
Criteria | iii, iv, v |
Reference | 787 |
UNESCO region | Europe and North America |
Inscription history | |
Inscription | 1996 (20th Session) |
Alberobello (Italian: [ˌalberoˈbɛllo]; literally "beautiful tree") is a small town and comune of the Metropolitan City of Bari, Apulia, southern Italy. It has about 10,700 inhabitants and is famous for its unique trulli buildings. The Trulli of Alberobello have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.
Alberobello was first mentioned in the early 16th century when the first 40 families were granted land to farm in the area. The abundance of calcareous sedimentary material in the area lead to the building of houses with dry stone without the use of mortar. These houses were the first trulli which contributed to the expansion of the settlement. Building the houses of dry stone was a requirement of Count Giangirolamo II as in this way it was avoidable to pay taxes on them. The inhabitants of Alberobello were feudal vassals of the Acquaviva of Aragon until May 27, 1797, when King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon received Alberobello and issued a decree that elevated the small village to a royal city, freeing them from feudal serfdom.
Alberobello is twinned with: