Trullo il Melograno

A Magical Step Back in Time

Travel to the Puglia region in southern Italy and you'll no doubt catch site of a trullo, a conical dwelling that's straight out of a fairy tale. Trulli feature signature pyramid, domed or conical roofs made from corbelled limestone slabs - using a building technique that's been around since prehistoric times.

Melograno is the largest in a cluster of trulli near the beautiful city of Ostuni in the Itria Valley. It's a magical combination: this structure with its three protruding cones, the beautiful Mediterranean landscape, and the nearby white city with its buildings sprinkled across three hilltops.

While many trulli are whitewashed, Melograno has been left unfinished, its interiors decorated in earthy neutrals, with exposed stone, little alcoves and archways that lend it an almost sculptural feel. We love the blend of old world with contemporary accents, and the artistic flourishes that bring the space to life.

The house is surrounded in three hectares of countryside with ancient olive groves, oaks and almond trees, with a covered terrace and an imperfectly lovely kidney-shaped pool surrounded in sandy banks and paved stone walls.

This villa for rent in Italy is a great destination in itself, but also makes an ideal base for exploring this beautiful part of the world.

The property accommodates up to seven guests comfortably. It has one main bedroom with a double bed and private bathroom, one bedroom with two single beds, plus a niche tucked into a corner of the living room, with a double bed and a single. There is an outside patio with dining area, outside shower, oven and barbecue, plus a pool shared with the other properties on the site.

Melograno can be rented alone and is very private. For larger groups, it can be rented with one or both of the other properties on the same site. To visit the other homes on this property, see Il Guardiano and Trullo di Luna.

Read a short history of the trullo in our Stories section here.

Puglia

There is much to see in Apulia, the elegant heel in Italy’s boot. As the region has a long coastline, there are many beaches to explore, both sandy and rocky. Start with Torre Guaceto. And don’t miss the beautiful Pozzo Guaceto natural reserve, and the Grotte di Castellana, an extensive karst cave system, that is one of Apulia’s most popular attractions.

The white city of Ostuni is close by. Described by Lonely Planet as “a pearly white tiara”, it extends across three hills, with a cathedral centrepiece, and boasts a great selection of bars and restaurants. Other towns to visit include Alberobello, Martina Franca, Locorotondo, Cisternino. And don’t forget to sample the region’s famous olive oils and wines.

Location

Specchiaruzzo, Ostuni, Pulia, Italy. Nearest airports: Bari and Brindisi

Best time to visit

Spring through fall (closed in winter)