Trulli: the new holiday home for trendy investors

Photo: Blunight 72

The properties, which are former farmer sheds made of limestone with conical roofs, are the unique trademark of Puglia’s Istria Valley.  Built without cement, the BBC describes them as “Asterix meets Disney”.

Now, though, the fantastical-looking properties are becoming increasingly popular among holiday home hunters. The revival, estate agent Alessandro Melpignano told the news provider, began in 1996 when Trulli in Alberobello became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, prompting the market to “explode”.

Germans led the charge, closely followed by Brits. The former grew tired of people breaking in to the homes, but the Brits are still buying, according to Melpignano, who cites cheap flights to Bari and Brindisi as encouraging interest.

As well as the break-ins, though, there are added costs to owning a Trulli: every 100 or so years, they require renovating, a process that can take around a month and cost £12,700. Nonetheless, there are a growing number of Trullaro, builders who specialise in Trulli maintenance.

“When I began [20 years ago], there was just one trullaro left in this area,” a Trullaro tells the Beeb. “It was a dying trade. Now there are loads of us."

“Even if it has slowed down with the recession and heavy taxes on homeowners, our profession's still growing,” he added. “I do not make a fortune but I do love my job. It is a beautiful thing that everyone wants a trullo.”