Humankind has been incredibly inventive when it comes to creating a safe, comfortable home. We’ve been able to create traditional dwellings that are incredibly unique and distinctive by using resources that were available wherever our ancestors lived. Let’s take a look at 11 such homes that will undoubtedly impress you.1. Matmata Cave Houses, Tunisia.

If you remember Tatooine from the Star Wars films, you’ll recognize these ancient cave houses in Tunisia as the backdrop for Anakin Skywalker’s home planet. These dwellings, carved out of sandstone and linked by a complex network of passages, are great for keeping cool in the heat and sand storms.

2. Trulli, Alberobello, Italy. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1996, these white-washed limestone homes with roofs made of stone are what make the town of Alberobello in southern Italy world famous. You can even book a Trulli during your vacation stay!

3. Swiss Alps chalets. Although basic and understated, these wooden cabins were previously used by shepherds to keep an eye on their animals while they grazed on the alpine pastures in the summer. People who visit the Swiss Alps for skiing vacations nowadays usually stay in chalets.

4. Rumah Gadang in Sumatra, Indonesia. For hundreds of years, the Minangkabau people of Indonesia called these spectacularly spiky roofed dwellings, albeit they are now more typically utilized for ceremonial purposes. Rumah Gadang translates as “big house” and reflects their maternalistic lifestyle.