This Abandoned Italian Village is Now a Luxury Hotel

Quick Overview

The abandoned medieval Italian village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, once a ghost town with only 70 inhabitants after post-WWII emigration, has been revitalized into a unique luxury hotel experience, Hotel Sextantio, thanks to an investor named Daniele who poured millions of euros into restoring it while maintaining its historical character.

Key Points: Santo Stefano is a small medieval town located 150 kilometers from Rome, classified as one of the top 10 most beautiful "borghi d'Italia" (villages of Italy). After World War II, many residents emigrated, leaving the town practically untouched and leading it to be described as a ghost town with only 70 inhabitants until recent years. The town's revitalization was spearheaded by an investor named Daniele, who, after getting lost there on a motorbike tour, invested millions of euros to restore the area and create the Hotel Sextantio. Hotel Sextantio is unique because the rooms are divided among the entire town, requiring guests to navigate small alleys to reach their accommodations, with rooms featuring only the bare necessities like a bed and bath, explicitly excluding TVs for relaxation. The region is famous for producing very tiny lentils that are high in iron, traditionally cooked simply with extra virgin olive oil, the red garlic from Sulmona, and bay leaf. Local artisans continue age-old crafts, producing wooden household items, small toy animals, and preparing local specialties like jam or Ratafià (a classic liqueur) from Amarena cherries (sour cherries).

Context: Vincenzo, host of "Vincenzo's Plate," explores his native region of Abruzzo to uncover Italy's best-kept secrets, focusing this segment on Santo Stefano di Sessanio. This medieval town, perched high in a national park, suffered depopulation following World War II, leaving its architecture largely preserved until a significant investment transformed parts of it into tourist accommodations, including the distinctive Hotel Sextantio.

Detailed Analysis