Trullo Sovrano means "Ruler" in Italian. It is the largest in Alberobello and consists of 12 Trullo, connected to each other by passages. The Central Trullo is made two-storied. Its height reaches 14 meters.
Trullo Sovrano is located behind the Basilica of Cosmas and Damian, away from the main areas of Rione Monti and Aia Piccola. It was built in the 18th century by a wealthy priest, Cataldo Perta. For a long time this Trullo was called the Court of Farther Cataldo.
Trullo Sovrano can rightly be considered the pinnacle of the skill of the builders of Alberobello. They were able to create a very large living space and even build a second floor. It was made in compliance with all the canons of Trullo construction without cementing solution. The second floor is built without a wooden floor covering. The ceiling of the large Central hall has a cross vault made of stones. It is supported by Romanesque arches, which are supported by two supporting walls.
All the details of the living space were also thought out by the builders. A well has been dug in front of Trullo. Thick walls allowed in many places to provide niches for storing household items and food supplies. Here, the priest Cataldo kept the relics of Saints Cosmas and Damian, patrons of Alberobello. Now they are stored in the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian.
Now in Trullo Sovrano is a Museum where you can see the life of the inhabitants of Alberobello. In 1930, this house, along with the districts of Monti and Aia Piccola, was recognized as a monument to Italy. At the same time, it got the name Sovrano – "Ruler".
