The Fairytale Roofs of Alberobello

Alberobello, in southeastern Italy, is known for one thing: the architecture of its traditional houses.

These houses, known as trulli, have been built in this way since time out of mind -- in fact they seem to be survivals of the pre-Roman Iron Age, when many Europeans lived in something similar.

According to a book I got out of the library on the small towns of Italy, the walls are made of dry-laid stone overlaid with thick, whitewashed plaster:

This method of construction has its roots in prehistoric times. The conical-shaped roofs are made of stones placed on top of each other in concentric circles overlaid with thin sheets of limestone called chianche. Each roof is topped by three stones (one cylindrical, one flat, and one round) said to avert evil.

Interior view showing the corbelled vault.

They are certainly delightful, and not like anything else I know of.

And should you visit, you can even bring home a souvenir.