Santo Stefano di Sessanio
| Santo Stefano di Sessanio | |
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| Comune | |
| Comune di Santo Stefano di Sessanio | |
Rooftop view of Santo Stefano di Sessanio
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 Santo Stefano di Sessanio
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| Coordinates: 42°20′45″N 13°38′42″E / 42.34583°N 13.64500°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Abruzzo |
| Province / Metropolitan city | L'Aquila (AQ) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Fabio Santavicca |
| Area | |
| • Total | 33.14 km2 (12.80 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,250 m (4,100 ft) |
| Population (30 November 2014) | |
| • Total | 117 |
| • Density | 3.5/km2 (9.1/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Stefanari |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 67020 |
| Dialing code | 0862 |
| Saint day | 3 August |
Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a comune and hill town in the province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of southern Italy. Located in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park, in the highest region of the Apennines, this medieval hill town sits adjacent to the high plain of Campo Imperatore.
The tiny medieval village of Santo Stefano lay largely abandoned with many of its ancient buildings in ruins and only 70 inhabitants until recent years. Now, many of the village's buildings have been restored. Some comprise the Sextantio Albergo Diffuso, or extended hotel. Other structures have been restored as vacation homes. The village's population as of 1 January 2016 was 111. However, with its distance to Rome of 154 kilometres (96 mi) by car, or less than two hours' drive, the small village has become a fashionable weekend and summer retreat. Among its most notable part-time residents is Lucio Dalla, the Italian singer and songwriter. The village's main source of income is tourism with small boutiques, art galleries and eateries tucked into ancient stone structures.
Along with its neighbor Castel del Monte, Santo Stefano has been named one of Italy's prettiest villages, "I Borghi Piu belli D’Italia", and recognized by the Slow Food movement for its sustainable agriculture, in particular its gourmet lentils, "lenticchie". The town holds a festival on the first weekend in September of each year, the "Sagra delle Lenticchie", celebrating this food.
“Sessanio” or "Sextantia”, as it was called in Roman times, is the patron saint of the village. Many structures in the village date from the 11th through 15th centuries. In the 12th century, Santo Stefano was part of the Baronage of Carapelle, which included Castel del Monte, Calascio, Capestrano, Carapelle, Castelvecchio, Ofena, and Villa S. Lucia. The still standing village portal and now destroyed circular tower (the town's most notable architectural landmark) were constructed by the Medicis. The entrance portal, which leads to the village's main square, is emblazoned with the Medici coat of arms. Other historic structures include the Church of Santa Maria in Ruvo, Casa Fortezza, the Church of Santo Stefano, the ruins of the Palazzo Anelli, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, and the Convent S. Maria del Monte.
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Wikipedia