Indescribable experiences in one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Abruzzo!

In Santo Stefano di Sessanio (province of L’Aquila), you can feel deep emotions.
Situated on the top of a hill, the town belongs to “I Borghi più belli d’Italia” (the most beautiful towns in Italy) and offers fabulous views to its visitors.
“Sextantio” was its ancient Latin name, which is exactly the name we decided to choose for our hotel.
The term meant “six miles”, which was precisely the town’s distance from San Marco – the most important district of that time, between Castel del Monte and Rocca Calascio.

Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a veritable work of art, a gem of limestone.
It is one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Abruzzo.
The Torre Medicea – the tower on top of the hill – is one of the most remarkable elements of the scenery. It was built in the Middle Ages as a sighting point and it acquired the current name when the De Medici family “branded” it with their coat of arms.
This last appears also on the Porta Medicea, the ancient gate that is still today the main entrance of the town.

It’s impossible to remain indifferent in front of the beauty of this town. Walking through alleys, arches and arcades is a veritable travel through time.

The fifteenth-century houses are another element that contributes to the beauty and to the peculiarity of the town. The most important of them is no doubt the Casa del Capitano (the house of the captain), which got this name during the Second World War, when it was occupied by the fascist squads. The loggias of the house were built by the same stonecutters who built the Palazzo delle Logge (the palace of loggias), a wonderful noble palace.
The “case-mura” or “case-torri” (“wall-houses” or “tower-houses”) are instead buildings with high, thick walls and tiny windows, which were built for defensive purposes.
When you visit Santo Stefano di Sessanio, you realise that the Middle Ages were characterised by struggles and conflicts.
Towers, citadels, fortresses and walls are tangible evidence of the strong need to hide… not only from the enemy, however! In fact, it seems that the Buscella – a narrow opening in the last circle of walls that is still possible to see – was used in the past by the young lovers who wanted to hide and steal passionate kisses.

Finally, since the name of the town includes also “Santo Stefano”, who is its patron saint, we suggest that you visit the church of Santo Stefano Protomartire and the church of Madonna del Lago.

What are you waiting for? Dive into the Middle Ages and go through a unique experience in one of the most enchanting medieval towns in Abruzzo!
We would be glad to welcome you and offer you an exclusive service!