Pioneer Of Slow Living: Santo Stefano's Unique Revival Journey
- femkevaniperen
- Jul 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 4
In this once-desolate Italian mountain village, life now flourishes around integrity, slow travel, and slow living. We spoke with visionary Daniele Kihlgren, a pioneer of slow living and the driving force behind this unique project.
In the late 1990s, Daniele Kihlgren discovered the abandoned village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, east of Rome, Italy. Amid medieval houses and a church against the Abruzzo mountains, he saw potential for revival. This vision has become a renowned slow travel story, highlighted globally for Kihlgren's unique approach. Today, this once-overlooked Italian mountain village thrives, where time seems to both stand still and move forward.
A True Second Chance
Kihlgren's approach wasn't just about restoring a location; it was about preserving the village from becoming a tourist hub, protecting its history and character. He aimed to keep local income within the community, unlike tourist developments seen in places like Ibiza. His vision offered the village a true second chance by valuing its past, future, and the art of slow living.
Embracing Slow Living
Travellers worldwide are attracted to Santo Stefano for its Albergo Diffuso concept and slow living lifestyle, offering leisurely experiences like engaging with locals, enjoying coffee in the picturesque square, or savouring walnut liqueur at a bar run by a regional shepherd's granddaughter. The famous hotel concept features rooms dispersed throughout the village, maintaining historical integrity while offering modern conveniences. Local businesses thrive by emphasising traditions and crafts, preserving Santo Stefano’s unique heritage.
For example, hotel bedspreads are made from local linen using traditional regional techniques. "The majority of the initiatives set up after our [restoration] efforts are activities focussed on families within the local community," Kihlgren told us. Kihlgren has also uncovered historical stories linked to the guest rooms, such as one that was a gathering spot for women and children to share stories and stay warm with cattle brought down from the mountains for winter.
Santo Stefano features only authentic attractions crafted by the local community, with no historical replicas. "We offer an opportunity to rediscover and improve authentic Italy," he further explained. "Away from traditional tourist destinations, but rich in history, culture and beauty."
"We offer an opportunity to rediscover and improve authentic Italy. Away from traditional tourist destinations, but rich in history, culture and beauty."
There's Progress in Ancient History
Kihlgren's slow living vision has also influenced the village's restaurants, leading to a collaboration with an anthropologist from the 'Museo delle Genti d'Abruzzo' to explore and document the region's culinary heritage. "We discovered many elements of the village's traditional, ancient cooking techniques," Kihlgren noted, highlighting that this history, rooted in the 'agro-pastoral calendar,' now serves as inspiration for the menus.
"An example of such ritual, agro-pastoralism dishes includes all the sweets of Easter,” Kihlgren said. "They celebrate ‘abundance’ with the return of the new season and the end of winter. Cooking in this way, expresses a cyclical view of the world and of time. It is one that is far removed from that of today," he reflected. To which he added: "These dishes often transcend their nutritional role and become a means of communication with the supernatural world."
"We found traces of the village's traditional, age-old cooking methods. These dishes often transcend their nutritional role and become a means of communication with the supernatural world."
Symbolic Step
Now, local authorities from Abruzzo and Santo Stefano di Sessanio have openly supported the slow travel initiative by demolishing a 1970s concrete bank building. Kilghren calls it a symbolic move, noting that officials found it disrupted the village's historic ambiance and landscape. This decision followed years of debate about the future of Italy's many abandoned or semi-abandoned rural villages.
Conclusion
Though progress typically emphasises the future, this distinctive project in the mountains near Rome underscores the equal importance of integrity and historical heritage. "The story of Santo Stefano di Sessanio shows us how preserving historical heritage can drive economic growth," said Kihlgren.
"It started with a single accommodation facility in the 1990s," he continued. "Today, the village features twenty-three hospitality businesses, along with restaurants and artisan shops. This growth has reversed the demographic decline, drawing in young people and families. It also helps stimulate a new local economy. This kind of development can contribute to promoting quality and sustainable slow travel. The success of this approach is evident," he concluded.
As Santo Stefano embraces slow living, it sets an example for other communities seeking a balanced approach to progress. By prioritising well-being, sustainability, and community, this philosophy paves the way for a more fulfilling and connected way of life.
"The story of Santo Stefano di Sessanio shows us how preserving historical heritage can drive economic growth."
About the cuisine of Agro-Pastoralism
The Santo Stefano restaurants' menus are inspired by the region's agro-pastoral culinary heritage. Pastries like 'taralli,' 'pupazze,' and 'cavalli' were traditional gifts for children. The horse symbolised strength, while the Abruzzese pupa, an Easter cake, represented love and sharing. Since the 1800s, the pupa and horse have been made for engagement ceremonies, symbolising good fortune. The pupa was given to the groom's family and the horse to the bride's family, linking the tradition to Easter and Christian symbols of resurrection and the Last Supper. Source: Sextantio
About The Sextantio Project
The Sextantio initiative, responsible for the village's development and the Albergo Diffuso concept, has revitalized deserted villages through conservative restoration. Founder Daniele Kihlgren expanded the slow travel initiative to include more villages. Sextantio's second historic village, Matera, in southern Italy, is surrounded by ancient caves and stone structures. Their latest project, the Capanne (HUTS) Project in Rwanda, emphasizes slow travel and authenticity, offering health insurance support to locals. About 500 village regeneration proposals have been submitted to the project.
