Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Medieval commune in Gran Sasso National Park, Italy
The stone buildings of Santo Stefano di Sessanio rise at 1250 meters elevation, surrounded by the mountains of the Abruzzo region.
The village dates from Roman times, with structures from the 11th to 15th centuries, including a former Medici tower that fell during the 2009 earthquake.
The annual Sagra delle Lenticchie festival celebrates the local mountain lentils, drawing visitors to experience traditional agricultural heritage every September.
The village functions as an albergo diffuso, offering accommodations spread throughout restored medieval buildings with a central reception area.
In 1999, entrepreneur Daniele Kihlgren initiated a restoration project that prohibited concrete use and new construction to maintain historical authenticity.
Location: Province of L'Aquila
Capital city: Santo Stefano di Sessanio
Elevation above the sea: 1,250 m
Shares border with: Calascio, Castelvecchio Calvisio, Isola del Gran Sasso d'Italia, Barisciano, Carapelle Calvisio, L'Aquila
Address: Comune, Via Benedetta 67020
Website: http://comunesantostefanodisessanio.aq.it
GPS coordinates: 42.34266,13.64597
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:34
The Abruzzo region contains medieval villages, Roman sites and natural parks. The mountain fortress Rocca Calascio stands at 1460 meters elevation. The Gran Sasso and Majella national parks offer hiking trails through mountain terrain. On the coast, Ortona has beaches on the Adriatic Sea. The region produces saffron in Navelli and pasta in Fara San Martino. The parks house wolves and bears, while historic towns like Sulmona display Roman and medieval structures.
Castle of Rocca Calascio
3.8 km
Santa Maria della Pietà
3.7 km
Monte Prena
11.5 km
Monte Brancastello
11.7 km
Castle of Barisciano
4.2 km
Monte Scindarella
10.9 km
Church of Holy Mary of Grace
4.8 km
Wal memorial
7 km
Madonna del Suffragio
7 km
Madonna del Lago
522 m
San Rocco
7.1 km
San Donato
6.9 km
Santo Stefano Protomartire
247 m
Piazzetta Marcinelle
7 km
Santa Maria della Pietà
4.4 km
San Marco Evangelista
7 km
Madonna delle Grazie
4.1 km
Chiesa di San Rocco
4.3 km
San Francesco
4.2 km
San Rocco
227 m
Chiesa di Santa Maria in Ruvo
155 m
Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie
7.3 km
Santa Maria delle Grazie
147 m
Fonte grande
4.9 km
San Nicola di Bari
4.5 km
Torre Medicea
202 m
Monastero di Santa Maria del Monte
5.3 km
Convento di San Colombo
4.6 kmReviews
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