The ability of mankind to work with stone to make shelters, construct
aqueducts, and build cities is the hallmark of human civilization.
Each corner of the world has its unique stonework, a Darwinian
variation of human civilization. Each work tells a story of a land,
its people, and a time.
In the south-east corner of Italy, the very heel of the boot,
a region called Apulia, the story of man and its stone
dwellings is unique and fascinating. It tells about man-made
caves from the time of the crusades carved on the side of
sandstone hills, of a town with cone-shape
roofs, and of whitewashed
old towns clustered like beehives.
It is a unique architectural expression that coexists
next to castles and basilicas of various
times. It is a peasant architecture: simple ways
for poor people to carve a home from their stony environment.
It is an architecture that depends on the Roman arc and vaulting
to create shelters from stone rubble that littered the landscape.
In its naked and simple form, this architecture celebrates man's
inventiveness to
defy gravity and arrange stone pieces to stand over their head,
roofs that have withstood for centuries.
While they do not compare to the sophistication and grandiosity
of Rome, Florence, Paris, and a many other places in Europe,
they are just as fascinating to experience. If you are in
the neighborhood, it is worthwhile to go and
visit these places.
For further information, please visit on the Web:
-
Guida Turistica della Puglia
References:
- Edward Allen, Stone Shelters, MIT Press, 5 Cambridge Center MA 02142, USA.
- Puglia, Editoriale Adda, Bari, Italy.
- Alberobello, Trimboli Editori, Pescara, Italy.
|
Valenzano
lanera.com root
