Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a fortified medieval village. It is located in the mountains of
Abruzzo at 1250 meters above sea level, inside the Gran Sasso and Monti della
Laga national park. The village is a classic example of an Italian medieval
hill town, with perimeter walls encircling houses and squares.
During the last
century the “modernisation” of rural Italy compromised the architectural
heritage of many of its countryside villages and towns. But Santo Stefano, like
many more remote Mediterranean mountain villages, was deserted when its impoverished
inhabitants left in search of work. Paradoxically, the abandonment saved
the town from architectural abuse.
The project
to conserve and revive Santo Stefano as an “albergo diffuso” involved a
detailed plan to preserve the integrity of the village and its surrounding
landscape.
Working alongside local organizations such as the town mayor and the
national park, we proposed special laws to prohibit any new construction. Our
aim was to bring the village back to life and to welcome tourists,but without
sacrificing Santo Stefano’s identity. To retain Santo Stefano’s local character
all modern technology is hidden. We searched out original architectural
materials, and our furniture and textiles are authentic items from the Abruzzo
mountains.
We have preserved traces of bygone countryside life in the fabric of
the buildings - symbols of hardship which evoke the spirit of ancient rural
life. One of
our aims is to reflect Abruzzo’s rural traditions. This heritage has strong
roots among the mountain people who cherish their pastoral culture. Part of our
mission is to rediscover regional gastronomy. We have bought neighbouring land
to produce local food, which is available from a restored building (a former
cellar) in the centre of the village. In researching local culinary heritage
and rituals, we have discovered a local cuisine where resources were few, but
mixed in a great number of different recipes. Working with the Museum of the
People of Abruzzo - and with the help and advice of the older residents from
the area - we have revived artisan skills which go back centuries. Using only
traditional raw materials, Santo Stefano’s weavers are producing hand made
fabrics for use in our rooms, and to offer to the public directly from the
workshop.
Artistic
and cultural events are an essential part of life in Santo Stefano. In
partnership with the classical orchestra the Officina Musicale, we are
developing a project called Ensemble in Residence, where we ‘adopt’ musicians
and offer a season of concerts or events. The money raised from these
performances will be used for non-profit initiatives. Our hope is that these
events at Santo Stefano will become a beacon for an alternative way of enjoying
both popular and high culture - a different approach to the clichéd and
folkloristic tourism which has overtaken many Italian hill towns.While you
are visiting Santo Stefano, why not take advantage of some of the excursions we
have on offer, including trips into the countryside, mountain biking, trekking
in the mountains and horse riding.
We offer a variety of excursions and trips
into the cowntryside mountain diking, trekking in the mountains and horse
riding. Santo Stefano di Sessanio is inside the beautiful Gran Sasso National
Park.The area is rich in natural, unspoiled countryside. Since the
war the dignity and character of many southern Italian hill towns has suffered
at the hands of unsympathetic tourist development. New houses built on the
periphery of historic villages have compromised the relationship between the
urban landscape and the countryside. Many ancient town centres have suffered
from poor quality development. Original features were often removed, stripping
buildings of their history. A lack of proper planning meant that new buildings
did not reflect the local architectural style.
The national government failed
to intervene; preferring to focus on Italy’s classical heritage and unwilling
to recognise the importance of rural architecture and its relationship with the
landscape. Where poverty led to the villages being abandoned no new
construction took place. This has left an opportunity for conservation – the
chance to preserve these historic hill towns for the future.
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