In Italy, there are many types of typical properties, from the baite to the cascine, passing through the traditional houses of Apulia like the trulli or the masserie. These are the buildings that tell the story of Italy and its numerous layers.
We’ve searched from north to south and east to west to show you the typical houses of each region and discover that to own a small country house or mountain house, you don't need to be a millionaire.
The dammuso in Pantelleria
The dammusi, the typical houses of Pantelleria (an island of wild nature and true paradise between Sicily and Tunisia), are traditional homes built with local lava stone. The floor plan of these houses is quadrangular and is topped with a dome. The dammuso, of Arab origin, consists of three interior rooms: the kammira, l'arkova and the kammirino, which together form a single habitable cell.
The stazzo in Sardinia
Hopping to another Italian island, we find the stazzi, typical Sardinian houses, present mainly in the north, in the Gallura area. A stazzo is a rectangular house formed of granite blocks which is divided into one or two rooms at most. Outside there is usually an oven or a small storage room. Different stazzi formed cussorgia (cussogghja), an entity united by strong ties of friendship and collaboration.
The trullo in Apulia
The trulli are typical houses of Apulia, specifically the Valley of Itria and Alberobello, a village full of these trulli. Declared to be World Heritage by UNESCO, the trulli are conical-shaped buildings built with dry stone. The thickness of the walls and the near absence of windows allow an optimal thermal balance: warm in winter and cold in summer.
The masseria in Salento
Staying in Apulia, but typical of the southern part, especially in Salento, are the masserie. In the past, the masserie were farms where landowners lived with peasants, who slept in the stables and in the storehouses. Since the 90s, the masserie have been renovated and used mainly as rustic houses or B&Bs.
The baglio in Sicily
The bagli, the typical Sicilian houses, are farms that have a large courtyard. These buildings were inhabited by landowners and farmers who worked there on a seasonal basis. For this reason, the bagli are made up of numerous houses, stables and warehouses. They have now been completely refurbished and are linked to the tourism sector.
The baita in the mountains
Moving through the mountainous areas we find the baite, typical alpine and mountain houses. These are alpine cabins with sloping wooden and stone roofs. In the past, these characteristic mountain structures consisted of a small living area with a kitchen and a bedroom, to which was added a barn or stable. They have now been renovated and are some really precious jewels.
The cascina in Lombardy
The cascine, typical Lombard houses, are large farmhouses located on agricultural estates. They also contain barns, haylofts, ovens, wells and fountains, located in the middle of the countryside.