Trullo Petrarolo is a beautifully restored retreat in the heart of Puglia. Converted from two traditional conical houses or ‘trulli’ into spacious and welcoming accommodation, it may be booked on its own or together with neighbouring nine-bedroomed farmhouse, Masseria Petrarolo. Both are on the same estate and so are ideal for large multigenerational holidays.
Originally built in the mid-1700s, Trullo Petrarolo is believed to have been the home of a head farmer or manager for the neighbouring nobleman, Signor Petrarolo, after whom Masseria Petrarolo is named. Trulli were usually built for farmers to use as storage in the fields, often for tools but also as a shady place to rest during the heat of the day. Later as Puglia developed as a successful wine region, they became homes, and today the nearby town of Alberobello is the best-preserved example of this architectural style. Trulli were built in ‘tufa’, a local limestone that was skilfully stacked without mortar in a circle, before adding the conical roof that has become iconic today. Stonemasons often added a signature pinnacle, so that the owners could tell their house apart from others.
Today, the restored Trullo has two beautiful bedrooms, with additional space in a mezzanine, if needed. The more spacious conical building, originally a stable, now has a breakfast kitchen and large circular living area with comfortable built-in seating. A spiral staircase leads up to the mezzanine, once used for grain storage. The original trullo contains the light and sunny Lunetta suite, a double bedroom with large windows overlooking the courtyard. The bathroom was once a very large oven! Ciliegeto is the master suite in a new extension with its own private garden with an outdoor bath and shower, as well as a beautifully shaded pergola – a welcome retreat in the heat of summer. In the cooler season, it has a superb working fireplace to keep the bedroom cosy. A covered dining terrace outdoors leads to the heated pool and has views of the vineyards, cherry orchards and olive groves. It has a fully equipped outdoor kitchen with a fireplace for evenings, or barbeques over lunch. For superb sunset views of the Adriatic Sea, exterior staircases have been restored to wrap around the cones leading to the rooftop terrace – also perfect for romantic sunset dinners!
What we love!
• The heated pool, a real treat in the cooler seasons. It’s a generous size at 11m by 5m, and certainly the place to be in summer. Choose to chill on the loungers on the grass or the shade of the pergola nearby.
• It’s relatively close to beaches yet away from all the hustle and bustle: Monopoli beach is a mere 10-minute drive, but if you’re looking for busier beach clubs and lidos, it’s close to Capitolo and 25 minutes by car to the historic coastal hamlet of Savelletri further south.
• That all the characterful hilltop towns are nearby, including Ostuni, Locorotondo, Cisternino and Martina Franca. The historic city of Lecce is also not to be missed: start early and make a full day trip of it (it’s about 1.45-2 hour’s drive). Castellana Grotte is 20 minutes away and the world famous World Heritage town of Alberobello is 30 mins by car (visit off-peak or early in the day before it gets busy, especially in midsummer).
• That wine lovers can discover award-winning vineyards in the scenic Valley of Canale di Pirro. Take a day to explore and enjoy tastings.
• Day trips to the fascinating cliffside town of Matera in the west (1h20 by car) and historic Lecce further south (1h25 by car) are within easy reach.
What you need to know ….
• Trullo Petrarolo is self-catering when rented separately but you may book a chef for one or more nights a week, if you wish. The cost is dependent on menu choice and advance booking required.
• If you’re part of the group of guests at Masseria Petrarolo, the rate will be higher but include all meals and everyone will eat together at the main house.
• There is a mezzanine loft, or Mansarda, upstairs, and it has a queen-size sofa bed, which is ideal for older kids.
• The Estate uses air-source, energy efficient heat pumps for hot water and pools but there is an additional charge for heating the pool (except in July and August).
• It’s a 45-minute drive from Bari Airport (great for connecting from Rome or the rest of Europe, and can accommodate private jets) and just 55 minutes from Brindisi Airport by car. Private transfers may be booked if you don’t feel like driving, or you can arrive by helicopter at the Estate’s landing pad.
Reviewed by Michelle Snaddon