My long-time (we’ve known each other since primary school long-time) friend, Elisa has spent the better part of the last two years in Puglia, Italy restoring a traditional trullo in the Itria Valley. She shares her story with us today.
Oh, and if you’re planning a trip to the deep south of Italy (Puglia), you can stay in her trullo. It’s in a fabulous location between the UNESCO town of Alberobello and the enchanting towns of Locorotondo and Martina Franca. Elisa organises guided tours including wine and olive tasting, cooking classes, yoga and photography in this region of Italy she knows so well. Click here for the details.
Now, over to Elisa…
Falling in love again…
Our planet…round and beautiful, was always on my mind.
Faraway places, colours and buildings, the sound of the different words, the smells of new foods, old forests, and clear streams, castles and cathedrals, hilltop villages, and daily markets. Ancient traditions and religious festivals, kids playing in the streets, farmers tending their crops, old men gathering in village squares playing cards and drinking a glass of something delicious.
My heart always belonged to these images, these smells and these sounds and as early as 4 years of age, I had my first taste of travel on a big ocean liner across the seas to my parents’ homeland…la bella Italia.
I still remember riding a donkey in Calabria in southern Italy. It was my 4th birthday and a special treat for me. It was then that I fell deeply in love with donkeys.
And fresh bread
And Nutella
And gelato
I waited till my 21st birthday to return to Europe. I was offered a choice - a big 21st birthday party with all my friends
OR a trip to Europe. It didn’t take very long (about 1/2 second) to choose.
That was many decades ago and ever since, I’ve had a sort of ”travel fever.” and an inexhaustible thirst and curiosity for this planet and its art, culture, history and peoples.
It wasn’t until the late 1980s that I first stumbled upon the fairylike land called the Valle D’Itria in Puglia, southern Italy. It was then that I saw my first trullo…a kind of fairytale-esque building, probably inhabited by Italian hobbits a few centuries ago.
In actual fact, the trulli were inhabited by the farmers of this poor region, who were granted permission to build some shelters for themselves and family whilst working the land of the wealthy landowners.
The dry stone huts are constructed out of limestone slabs stacked on top of each other to form pyramidal, domed or conical roofs. Despite the lack of mortar, the structure is surprisingly stable. Trulli were built during a period of history, when the construction of stable dwellings was highly-taxed. These ingenious Italians came up with the idea of the trulli – temporary houses that could be dismantled at short notice, particularly when the tax inspector was around. This is known to have occurred in 1644 to avoid the tax inspectors sent by the King of Naples.
So, 30 years later, a bit ruffled and worn but still with a huge love for this place and its trulli, I finally moved here. I left Australia, sold my share of my business, which had been my baby. I left my friends and family and all that was comfortable and familiar, and bought myself a one way ticket to Italy.
Oh, and I forgot to mention - I also bought myself one of those sweet and curious little stone trulli. 😊2018 and 2019 was spent painstakingly renovating this 6 coned cottage. Blood, sweat and tears and many euros later, my dream came true - I think.
Finally, Trullo Trelisa is opening its doors to visitors. The interior is totally handmade by local artisan and creative, Francesco. The use of natural recycled material makes it warm, comfortable and traditional, and at the same time comfortable and cosy. The interior is designed by me and my Dutch designer friend, Eleonora - blending styles from all over the globe to create an eclectic and unique space.
The organic garden is filled with fruit trees and vines for your pleasure and there are even chickens in the coop to lay fresh eggs for you. The garden is a sensory and visual delight, with its many colourful roses and drooping wisteria, shady corners and outdoor kitchen - secret places to rest, sunny spots to soak up the sun, and soft grassy mounds to lay upon.
Come stay with us at Trullo Trelisa…we'll make you happy.
