Together with the Rione Monti, Rione Aia Piccola is the most populated area of trulli in the world. It is located in the heart of the old centre of Alberobello, which has been a UNESCO heritage site since 1996.

Legend has it that only seven churches have survived over the centuries: those of Santa Maria di Monteverde, Maria Santissima Assunta di Ferrazzano, San Leonardo di Campobasso, Santa Maria di Cercemaggiore, Santa Maria della Strada di Matrice and the cathedral of Volturara Appula, while the name of the seventh remains obscure. The origins of the church, in honour of the Madonna, are linked to the period when the feud of Matrice was ruled by Roberto Valerio and it seems that he himself donated the land on which the monument stands. The construction of the church can be dated around 1100, and it was consecrated in 1148 by Archbishop Pietro and bishops Giovanni di Volturara, Raimondo di Cividale and Roberto di Bojano.