Itria Valley, Karstic valley between Bari, Brindisi and Taranto provinces, Italy
The Itria Valley is a karst landscape in southern Italy known for distinctive white trulli houses with cone-shaped roofs scattered across the countryside. The terrain features olive groves, vineyards, and traditional stone walls that connect small towns and rural settlements.
The valley's name comes from Madonna Odegitria, a religious figure venerated by Byzantine monks during medieval times who established a monastery within natural caves. This monastic settlement became the foundation for the region's later agricultural development and the emergence of the towns that define it today.
The valley hosts a renowned opera festival each summer in Martina Franca that draws international performers and audiences. The baroque town squares and churches of smaller villages serve as natural venues for concerts and theatrical performances.
The easiest way to explore the valley is by car or bicycle on rural roads connecting the various towns and villages scattered throughout. Plan time to walk through the smaller settlements to see the trulli houses up close and experience the layout of each place.
The traditional trulli houses were built without mortar by stacking limestone blocks, and the roofs used removable keystones that owners could take apart for repairs or changes. This clever building method allowed residents to adapt their homes over time without needing a permanent structural foundation.
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