Santo Stefano di Sessanio
Santo Stefano di Sessanio: A hidden gem in the Gran Sasso of Italy
Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a small village with a population of 114 located in the province of L'Aquila in Abruzzo. Despite being one of the least populated districts of the province, the educational work of the monastic orders has led to an increase in cultivable land, repopulation of high-altitude countryside, and the birth and consolidation of fortified villages. Santo Stefano is one of these villages.
The village is located in the southern part of the Gran Sasso d'Italia massif, a little over 1,200 meters above sea level, in a panoramic position towards the Tirino valley on one side and the lower Aquilan Conca on the other. The territory of the municipality extends to the Campo Imperatore plain, where Mount Prena, the highest peak of the municipality, is located.
Nature and surroundings
Santo Stefano di Sessanio is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, making it one of the gateways to the park in its southern part. To the north, just below the village, there is a small plain dedicated to the cultivation of potatoes and legumes, including the famous lentils of Santo Stefano di Sessanio. There is also a lake fed by snowmelt.
The village can be reached from the Abruzzo Apennine and Apulo Sannitica State Road 17 by turning near Barisciano or San Pio delle Camere. From the north, it is possible to reach Santo Stefano by crossing Campo Imperatore and passing over Mount Capo di Serre. A paved secondary road leads to the southwest part of Campo Imperatore, joining State Road 17 bis.
The history of Santo Stefano di Sessanio
The work of the monastic orders during the Middle Ages led to an increase in cultivable land and repopulation of high-altitude countryside. Santo Stefano was included in the feudal district of the Barony of Carapelle in the thirteenth century. The barony included other villages such as Carapelle Calvisio, Castelvecchio Calvisio, Calascio, and Rocca Calascio. Santo Stefano followed the historical events of the barony until 1806, the year of the abolition of feudalism.
A journey into the past
Santo Stefano di Sessanio is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy today, and is a real hidden gem of the Gran Sasso d'Italia. The village, with its stone houses, has remained almost intact over the centuries. The village has a typical medieval village architecture with narrow streets, colorful views, arches, portals, and balconies.
The historic center of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, completely pedestrian, was expertly restored in the 1990s, making it one of the few inhabited medieval villages in the world that has given up on cars. The narrow houses, with their red-tiled roofs, create a unique atmosphere that will transport you back in time.
Gastronomy
Santo Stefano di Sessanio is famous for its production of lentils and other legumes, which are cultivated both in the plain immediately to the north of Santo Stefano and in various fields scattered throughout the territory. Additionally, the village is the ideal place to taste homemade typical dishes, such as the famous chitarra pasta and dishes based on the mushrooms of the area.
Conclusions
Santo Stefano di Sessanio is one of the most evocative medieval villages in Abruzzo. With its panoramic view towards the Tirino valley and the lower Aquilan Conca, the village is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. The village has become known for its production of lentils and other legumes, but also for typical homemade dishes such as chitarra pasta and dishes based on the mushrooms of the area. Moreover, the historic center of the village was expertly restored in the 1990s and is now one of the few inhabited medieval villages in the world that has given up on cars. If you want to take a journey into the past and enjoy some peace and quiet immersed in nature, Santo Stefano di Sessanio is the ideal place.
