Puglia

---

14 May 2008

We saw some of the smallest and one of the lager buildings in the area as we journeyed through Puglia today.

Our first stop was Alberobello which has a collection of about 1500 Trulli, small cylindrical shaped buildings with conical roofs. Originally built in the middle ages of the local rock, limestone, and without mortar so they could easily be pulled down and thereforew not incur taxes.

A 120 k drive north brought us to Castel del Monte one of the finest surviving examples of 13th century Swabian architecture. It is eight sided both externally and in its internal courtyard. It has eight octagonal towers and eight rooms on each of its two floors.

We stayed the night on the castle car park.

---