Santo Stefano: A Tale of Revival and the Simple Life

Since the once-abandoned Italian village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio was uniquely and carefully revitalised—with respect for its history and community—it radiates vitality while standing as an example of a simple life; precisely the kind of life many of us ​​increasingly long for. We spoke with Daniele Kihlgren, a pioneer of 'slow travel'.

The guest accommodations at Santo Stefano are scattered throughout the village, and their main entrance marks the gateway to a different way of life: a return to simplicity (photo: FvI)

A well-known tale recounts that in the late 1990s, a visionary named Daniele Kihlgren drove through the deserted remains of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, one of Italy's forsaken villages. Amidst the mostly vacant medieval homes, an empty church, and the Abruzzo mountains in this charming village east of Rome, he saw the potential for renewal.

But his vision was not a redevelopment of the kind undertaken by a property developer. Instead, his focus was on revival, prioritising 'community' over 'developer' and valuing history over wealth. His success has since become a celebrated story of slow travel. Names like George Clooney have graced the village with their presence, the latter whilst filming the movie The American on location in Abruzzo.

But this story of transformation didn’t end there. By honouring its past and local culture, this previously overlooked Italian mountain village is not only flourishing, lively and famous for its slow travel, it has also become a place where the simple life once again takes centre stage—a lifestyle that more and more people yearn for.

Santo Stefano di Sessanio: where slow travel and the simple life collide (Image Sextantio)

The Simple Life

So what is it about this place that the simple life has taken such a prominent place?

First, there is the concept of the 'scattered hotel'—or *albergo diffuso*—within the village. With this form of hospitality, guest rooms are not housed in a single hotel building but are instead distributed throughout the village. Kihlgren ensured that the historical authenticity of these *albergo diffuso* rooms was preserved while simultaneously equipping them with modern amenities.

Instead of lingering in their hotels or filling the day with sightseeing, travellers and visitors—including those escaping the city for the weekend or seeking a quiet place to work—can relax among the locals in the cobbled streets. They are invited to enjoy a coffee in the village square or a simple walnut liqueur at the village's little bar, often served by villagers with fascinating stories to tell. Moreover, they can enjoy a rare sense of tranquillity and simple life while the lively atmosphere of village life remains palpable in the background.

Rediscovering Italy

But the vision of respecting the site’s past goes even deeper. Visitors can relax under bedspreads made of local linen—crafted using regional traditional techniques—or immerse themselves in the historical stories associated with the guest rooms. For instance, one of the rooms once served as a winter gathering place for women, children, and cows returning from the snow-covered mountains.

For Kilghren’s meticulous approach breathes new life into stories of a slower-paced way of life—all thanks to a collaboration with a local museum, as well as local residents and businesses dedicated to tradition and craftsmanship.

"The majority of the initiatives set up after our [restoration] efforts are activities focussed on families within the local community," Kihlgren told Perspective Living. "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."

Steeped in history: One of Santo Stefano’s characteristic cobblestone streets, inviting a slower, simpler pace of life (photo: Sextantio).

The Sextantio Approach

Since that journey in the 90s and the revival of Santo Stefano, a lot has happened. The Sextantio Albergo Diffuso initiative has breathed new life into abandoned villages through conservative restoration, as Kihlgren extends the slow travel concept to more areas.

Similar to Santo Stefano, Sextantio's second historic village, Matera, located in southern Italy, is enveloped by an ancient setting, featuring caves and stone structures. Meanwhile, Sextantio's latest endeavor, the Capanne (HUTS) Project in Rwanda, also focusses on slow travel, authenticity, and community, providing health insurance support to local residents in this African locale. Overall, around 500 village regeneration proposals have been submitted to the Sextantio project.

"It started with a single accommodation facility in the ninetees. Today, the village features twenty-three hospitality businesses, along with restaurants and artisan shops, Kihlgren said about Santo Stefano. "This growth has reversed the demographic decline, drawing in young people and families and helps stimulate a new local economy," he added, before concluding: "The success of this approach is evident."

"This growth has reversed the demographic decline, attracting young people and families, and stimulating a new local economy, evidencing the approach's success."

A documentary about Daniele Kihlgren's project, titled "OUR STONE," was created by Alessandro Soetje. Perspective Living readers can view a trailer of it here (accept cookies to watch).

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Daniele Kihlgren in one of the artisan linen-weaving shops, Santo Stefano (image FvI)

About The Sextantio Project

The Sextantio project, initiated by Italian entrepreneur Daniele Kihlgren, is a sustainable "albergo diffuso" (scattered hotel) initiative aimed at restoring abandoned historic villages and preserving local heritage. It follows a stringent conservative restoration model that excludes modern aesthetic reinterpretations and new constructions, while subtly incorporating modern amenities like Wi-Fi and underfloor heating.