Located north of the town, behind the Church of the "Santi Medici Cosma e Damiano", it represents the most advanced example of a two-floor "trullo". Its stately conic dome, about 14 meters high, rises imposingly in the middle of a group of twelve cones.

It was built in the first half of 1700's on behalf of the priest Cataldo Perta's wealthy family (1744-1809) and originally denominated 'Pope Cataldo Yard'. Although fully respecting the old limitations prescribed by Conte Giangirolamo Acquaviva (seventeenth century), the master-mason - whose identity is still unknown - adopted unique constructive solutions that make this building the most advanced and remarkable interpretation of the 'trullo'architecture:

- the triangular pediment of the prospectusraises up on the foreground, being also in compliance with the typical "trullo" style;

- the vault of the ground floor has a cross shape and is supported by a system of four Romanesque bows set on two principal walls;

- the staircase of 23 comforts steps is craftily boxed in the thick wall between the main room and the kitchen;

- in the space between the vault of the entry corridor and the floor there is a wide wheat storage, that could become a safe hideaway if necessary, and proved to be very useful in the time of brigands.

This prestigious real estate, which was proclaimed national monument in 1923, has been defined "Sovrano" (in english: "Sovereign") not only for his stately proportions.

This was possible thanks to its history, that was extraordinary because the "Trullo Sovrano" has housed superlatively sovereign symbols, as the historian Giuseppe Notarnicola defined them: the Holy Sacrament and the relic of the Santi Medici Cosma e Damiano, Patron Saints of Alberobello.

The association cultural "Trullo Sovrano"

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Pubblicato su: 2004-04-30 (3181 letture)