Trullo restoration

Today we start talking about the trullo restoration works, and we will show a second method compared to the "scuci e cuci" technique already. While in the first method the recovery of the cones was localized only in the areas where the stones were unstable, now we will talk about the complete dismantling of the external cone. The trullo in question has a solid base structure, but all the chiacarelle of the outer cone were broken down and slipped away, losing the cone shape and becoming more of a "hut". 

1) Original status

The tympanum of the entrance (double sloping roof) which covers the door which in local jargon is called "cummerse" has also been dismantled. Among other things, the cummerse are another typical Apulian structure and we will dedicate an article to present them and describe them. First of all, the cone was completely uncovered, leaving some of the secrets on the structure of the trulli exposed; what you see is a pile of crushed stone and earth that completely covers the internal cone, which serves to create a "natural" gap between the two cones. 

We will start from this point, reassembling the "cummerse" stabilizing the stones and restoring the triangular shape. In the meantime, both new and original chiancarelle are being worked on and remodeled.

Once prepared and shaped, all the chiancarelle are positioned around the base and rise, layer by layer, gradually reducing the size of the stone, to create the typical cone shape. As previously described, it is completely manual and dry work. The pictures describe more than a thousand words! Scroll down to see the rest of the photos. 

2) Shaping and positioning of the chiancarelle

3) Cone completed with pinnacles on top

4) Lateral cones covered with plaster

5) Chimney and later cones completed

The last part of the cone is completed with the pinnacle (in our case spherical) and with a plastering only of the final part of the cone, painting it white. In this particular work, we have chosen to raise the two lateral alcoves to make them two small cones. Once the cones were recreated, the pinnacles were added, always spherical in shape and the cone completely plastered. 

A curiosity: the plaster was applied directly over the original chianche, in fact these lateral cones had not been dismantled. 

Courtesy and impeccable work of EDILTRULLI - Professionalism and competence for the restoration of your trullo.

The last phase of these cone renovations is to recover the small stone chimney. We found a beautiful flat stone that could be placed over the chimney. The stones around were finished with white grout and bleached leaving them exposed.

6) White lime refinement