Village Hotel in Abruzzo
Presentation
Practical information
The fabulous destiny of a perched medieval village in Abruzzo
This hamlet nestled in the heart of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, at an altitude of 1,250 meters, caused a real love at first sight for Daniele Elow Kihlgren, a young Italo-Swedish heir, now head of the Sextantio-DOM group.
In the summer of 1999, when he discovered this village somewhat by chance, the houses had been abandoned. However, powerful families - the Barony of Carapelle in the Middle Ages, the Piccolominis, the Medicis - had watched over its destiny linked to the trade of carfagna, a highly reputed thick black wool. The architectural heritage had thus been enriched as weavers and merchants prospered. The population remained living in Sextantio as best as they could until the 19th century. A terribly difficult life and rural exodus took their toll on their attachment to these valleys.
To save this rural heritage, Daniele Elow Kihlgren bought it and sought advice. An architectural firm, medieval archaeologists, ethnologists, the Abruzzo Museum, all worked hard to restore this rural heritage in the purest tradition. Thus, in the fall of 2005, a scattered hotel, an albergo diffuso, was born in the narrow alleys with their intact charm: the minimalism of the places contrasts with the comfort provided by cleverly integrated state-of-the-art technologies (underfloor heating, running water, remote-controlled lighting, etc).
The philosophy upheld here by Daniele Elow Kihlgren is to rehabilitate - using the same materials and furniture as in the past - to preserve craftsmanship techniques that were destined to be forgotten. In the 29 rooms and suites, the walls are made of stone, doors and ceilings of wood, an atmosphere enhanced by cotton linens in light shades, wool blankets hand-embroidered by local artisans. The furniture tells the story of the villagers who lived here, like the cassapanca, a chest containing the bride's trousseau, the madia, a wooden piece of furniture used to store bread during transhumance, or the iron-forged child's bed.
Each room is, of course, unique, for you to make it the setting of your journey, but for a romantic retreat, Alchimista (No. 18) or La Torre (No. 21) would have our preference, though the view of the Apennines from the balcony and living room of Casa sulle Botteghe (No. 1) is also splendid...
On the flavor side, one can choose between Tra le Braccia di Morfela with its traditional dishes - including the unmissable prosciutto, fresh ricotta, and other antipasti - and Locanda Sotto gli Archi, which transports us with its authentic regional dishes made with local and seasonal products: spelt, chickpeas, and various lentils. A few cobbled alleys away, the hotel's pleasant wine cellar, Il Cantinone, invites us to sit around a bottle of local red wine. At La Bottega, the craft shop, one can find preserved treasures of skill, such as wool, hemp, and linen textiles, homemade soaps, and balms based on artisanal methods and natural ingredients like sage, olive oil, lavender, juniper, etc.
On-site, learn the basics of Abruzzo cuisine, try your hand at making pizza or bread with the 16th-century bread oven, follow a guide to learn a bit more about falcons, eagles, or vultures,
For lovers of beauty and sincerity, unique and timeless journeys seeking to experience the heart of Abruzzo.
✯ Open all year round ✯
This hamlet nestled in the heart of the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, at an altitude of 1,250 meters, caused a real love at first sight for Daniele Elow Kihlgren, a young Italo-Swedish heir, now head of the Sextantio-DOM group.
In the summer of 1999, when he discovered this village somewhat by chance, the houses had been abandoned. However, powerful families - the Barony of Carapelle in the Middle Ages, the Piccolominis, the Medicis - had watched over its destiny linked to the trade of carfagna, a highly reputed thick black wool. The architectural heritage had thus been enriched as weavers and merchants prospered. The population remained living in Sextantio as best as they could until the 19th century. A terribly difficult life and rural exodus took their toll on their attachment to these valleys.
To save this rural heritage, Daniele Elow Kihlgren bought it and sought advice. An architectural firm, medieval archaeologists, ethnologists, the Abruzzo Museum, all worked hard to restore this rural heritage in the purest tradition. Thus, in the fall of 2005, a scattered hotel, an albergo diffuso, was born in the narrow alleys with their intact charm: the minimalism of the places contrasts with the comfort provided by cleverly integrated state-of-the-art technologies (underfloor heating, running water, remote-controlled lighting, etc).
The philosophy upheld here by Daniele Elow Kihlgren is to rehabilitate - using the same materials and furniture as in the past - to preserve craftsmanship techniques that were destined to be forgotten. In the 29 rooms and suites, the walls are made of stone, doors and ceilings of wood, an atmosphere enhanced by cotton linens in light shades, wool blankets hand-embroidered by local artisans. The furniture tells the story of the villagers who lived here, like the cassapanca, a chest containing the bride's trousseau, the madia, a wooden piece of furniture used to store bread during transhumance, or the iron-forged child's bed.
Each room is, of course, unique, for you to make it the setting of your journey, but for a romantic retreat, Alchimista (No. 18) or La Torre (No. 21) would have our preference, though the view of the Apennines from the balcony and living room of Casa sulle Botteghe (No. 1) is also splendid...
On the flavor side, one can choose between Tra le Braccia di Morfela with its traditional dishes - including the unmissable prosciutto, fresh ricotta, and other antipasti - and Locanda Sotto gli Archi, which transports us with its authentic regional dishes made with local and seasonal products: spelt, chickpeas, and various lentils. A few cobbled alleys away, the hotel's pleasant wine cellar, Il Cantinone, invites us to sit around a bottle of local red wine. At La Bottega, the craft shop, one can find preserved treasures of skill, such as wool, hemp, and linen textiles, homemade soaps, and balms based on artisanal methods and natural ingredients like sage, olive oil, lavender, juniper, etc.
On-site, learn the basics of Abruzzo cuisine, try your hand at making pizza or bread with the 16th-century bread oven, follow a guide to learn a bit more about falcons, eagles, or vultures,
For lovers of beauty and sincerity, unique and timeless journeys seeking to experience the heart of Abruzzo.
✯ Open all year round ✯
Sextantio Albergo Diffuso
Via Principe Umberto
67020 Santo Stefano Di Sessanio, Italie
Tel : +39 (0)862 899112
Fax : +39 (0)862 899656
From 100 EURVia Principe Umberto
67020 Santo Stefano Di Sessanio, Italie
Tel : +39 (0)862 899112
Fax : +39 (0)862 899656
Pricing details
Rates 2016, per night in a classic double room, breakfast included.Other rates for two people, breakfast included
✦ Classic double room, 100€
✦ Superior double room, 150€
✦ Suite, 250€
✦ Executive suite (double bed and two single beds in the living room), 350€
29 rooms and suites distributed in the old village houses, all with private bathroom, local toiletries, mini-bar, heating, hair dryer.
Library, massages, Wi-Fi connection, restaurants, wine cellar, herbal tea room.
Please note, Sextantio Albergo Diffuso was awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2014.
Note: All prices are provided for informational purposes only and must be confirmed directly with the establishment.
Comments
From Rome, take the A24 motorway, 120 km (1h30) from Rome Ciampino airport.25 km from L’Aquila train station.
