Italian Homes Built Without Mortar

Trulli are charming stone huts built entirely without mortar. These conical structures were originally designed as clever tax-dodging shelters that could be dismantled instantly to avoid property levies.

Farmers in the Italian region of Apulia used dry stone construction to ensure their homes were technically temporary. If tax inspectors approached, they could pull a key stone to collapse the roof and hide the permanent nature of the house. Today, these unique huts define the landscape of Alberobello, where entire neighborhoods survive from this period. It is a brilliant example of how ancient laws accidentally created a globally iconic architectural style.