Sextantio Albergo Diffuso

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 HISTORY
Traditional handcrafts are reflected in the detail: natural colours, woolen mattresses; cribs and handmade bedspreads woven on traditional looms. The restoration involves the retention of the original use of the domestic buildings.

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. The interior design of our rooms is inspired by pictures that Paul Scheuermeier, Swiss linguist, took in Abruzzo in the 20s of twentieth century.

To preserve the unity of the interior aesthetic-affective and avoid the over-use of contemporary elements, we used native objects, often stored in museums, and ancient and traditional local materials.

ROOMS
The interior design of our rooms is inspired by pictures that Paul Scheuermeier, Swiss linguist, took in Abruzzo in the 20s of twentieth century.

To preserve the unity of the interior aesthetic-affective and avoid the over-use of contemporary elements, we used native objects, often stored in museums, and ancient and traditional local materials.

The search for the archaic soul of these spaces has led to the preservation of small windows, the dim light, the uneven floors and the choice of single details, such as handmade soaps, made from olive oil and products strictly according to traditional methods.

The only “poetic license”, is the choice of contemporary sanitary ware, sober, geometric and with an extremely recognizable design.

Each room is equipped with:Wool mattress placed on a wooden plank which is based on a wrought iron structure. Blankets with patterns from the regional tradition and spun on a Nineteenth Century loom, made of naturally dyed wool.

Handmade soaps made with olive oil and beeswax through hot mixing method, without foaming agents and surfactants. Handcrafted candles. All the products that can be found in the rooms were made exclusively for Sextantio and can be bought at our Bottega dell’Artigianato Domestica.

LA FONTE DEL CANE
A triple room consisting of a large convivial living room equipped with a fireplace, a master bedroom and a single room with a desk. Plank hardwood flooring. Separate bathroom with shower. Room with the possibility of connection with the neighboring “Camera sulla Pineta”.

PINETA ROOM
Triple room which consists of a master bedroom with fireplace, single bedroom with Queen bed. Separate bathroom with shower. Private entrance from the pine forest with outdoor space. Room with the possibility of connection with the neighboring “Fonte del Cane” and “La Scala Segreta”.

DINING
we have discovered a cuisine where resources were few, but mixed in a great number of different recipes. All food is based on what would have been available and eaten back then. We use native, locally grown crops and recreate original recipes.

LOCANDA SOTTO GLI ARCHI
The “Locanda sotto gli Archi” is dominated by two large stone ceiling arches and a central fireplace. All furniture is primitive, minimal and antique dark wooden furniture.

The museum dedicated to the people of Abruzzo was the inspiration for the handcrafted plates and mugs used for all meals and drinks. All food is based on what would have been available and eaten back then. We use native, locally grown crops and recreate original recipes.

WINE TASTING
“The Cantinone” takes its name from the ancient Italian name of “Cantina” (cellar). This was usually located on the ground floor or basement and was used for the storage of food in the traditional houses of Abruzzo.

They were often built by enlarging an existing cave and was a very important place because it stored all the necessary food to sustain the family during the long and harsh winters. Because of its high value it was usually under lock and key by the head of the family.

TEA ROOM
The Tearoom is found in the same place as the Bottega. Here you can taste herbal teas made ​​with local herbs and an array of health producing teas made from non-native plants too.

The hand made cakes are baked the traditional way in an original ancient bakery of Santo Stefano di Sessanio. Among those to tempt you is the “ferratelle”, a typical dessert of Abruzzo, made by Gianna, our weaver.

WELLNESS
Nothing better than finding peace of mind and body and totally relaxing with a massage treatment in a fascinating location. In an environment rich in history and atmosphere, with a soft new age musical background, perfumed oils, herbal teas and many flickering candles, mind and body will be surely regenerated.

Sextantio Albergo Diffuso in Santo Stefano di Sessanio is the ideal location for indoors or outdoors classes of meditation, yoga and pilates.

CRAFTSMANSHIP
“La Bottega dell’Artigianato” is similar to an domestic space used traditionally by the woman characterized by the big frame located in the center of it. Here you can buy things that can be seen in our rooms, from the simple glass bottles to our ceramic glasses.

All the usual objects of the ancient world that Sextantio stands for. In addition you will find a wide variety of hand woven cloth and other hand made local produce of Abruzzo.

EVENTS
If you want to create an “event within and event” the hotel offers the following facilities which can be used for breakout meetings: the library/tea room, the large cantina, the craft workshop and the meeting room. All of these spaces can be used for free-time activities, for more formal events, weddings and meetings.

MEETINGS 
The Santo Stefano di Sessanio project involves the restoration of an historic southern Italian mountain village. This unique approach to the conservation of our rural heritage marks a new philosophy in the protection of a landscape which has been severely compromised during the last sixty years.

Sextantio offers the Meeting industry an unrivalled environment for meetings and workshops. Here you can hold an event in a setting where the past is preserved; from the original wooden floors and furnishings, to the traces of history left in the stone walls.

The Santo Stefano restoration involved the use of original architectural materials and fittings. We have retained the function and layouts of individual rooms. All modern fittings and wiring are concealed, and furnishings are in keeping the rural traditions of the Apennine Mountains.

WEDDINGS IN ITALY
Sextantio Albergo Diffuso creates a unique setting for special events. The signs of past dwelling lifestyle are still visible on the stone floors and recuperated terracotta pavements; the traces of time are still tangible in the sedimentary traces on the thick stone walls; even the blankets are woven on ancient looms.

The dining room, located in the century-old mill “Opificio Sotto Gli Archi” develops on two levels connected by a stone staircase. The recipes served here are local and traditional, inspired by testimony gathered during interviews with elders during the project’s conservation research – principle on which the entire Sextantio Albergo Diffuso’s philosophy is based on.

The authenticity of the food prepared by our creative Chef, who strictly employs only local, organic and sustainably farmed ingredients, shines and envelopes with fragrant aromas and flavors the newlyweds and their guests.

COOKING CLASS
A two-hours course, getting to know our Chef and cooking utensils, preparing of dishes like spaghetti alla chitarra” and ravioli, “pallotte” of bread and cheese, typical sweets “ferratelle”, using local ingredients and subsequent tasting.

BREAD MAKING
With the help of a local housewife, you will prepare the mixture for pizza and bread using ancient and traditional wooden instruments. You will cook the bread in an authentic wood-burning oven of XVI century.

WEAVING COURSE
Try your hand at making cloth with our ancient techniques and instruments. After a short introduction in the weaving art, with Gianna have made original cloth.

SOAP MAKING CLASS
The “secret” recipe to make soap was entrusted to the memory of the women and passed down from one generation to another within the same family. It will be revealed by our trusted artisan perfumer.

We propose a 2 hours workshop with a presentation of the ingredients and preparation of mixtures for the saponification. After drying, the soap will be divided into small bars to take home to let them age.

PICNIC
In the wicker basket and olive branches woven by local craftsman: water, wine, bread, ham, salami, cheese, oil, honey, fruit and mint. “…They used to lay down the cloth woven to the frame and ate on the floor, in a festive and friendly atmosphere singing and drinking red wine and water source.”

PASTRY MAKING
A ‘sweet’ lesson of few hours to learn how to realize small cakes and typical cookies of Abruzzo, such as ‘ferratelle’, milk biscuits and ‘ciambellini’ cooked in an authentic wood-burning oven.

Rooms: 29

Price: from 145 EUR per night

Source: www.sextantio.it