In medieval Abruzzo, life was profoundly spiritual—not just in overt religious practice but in how people understood their relationship to the world. The rhythms of nature, the turning of seasons, and the rituals of daily life were inseparable from a sense of the sacred. Santo Stefano’s architecture, untouched by the sweep of industrial modernity, reflects that interconnectedness.
Sextantio began as an attempt to reverse the steady disappearance of villages like Santo Stefano, where depopulation left centuries-old stone structures crumbling. But its approach raises questions about the tension between preservation and modern needs. The buildings have been painstakingly restored to reflect their original purpose: rough stone walls, uneven floors, and stark wooden beams remain as they were. This isn’t an idealised recreation of the past; it is its continuation, shaped by an awareness of what must be kept intact for cultural memory to survive.
Sextantio’s preservation efforts, both tangible and intangible, are a quiet act of resistance against the erasure of tradition. They offer not nostalgia but a chance to engage deeply with the past and find relevance in its lessons for today. In an age where rapid change often erodes the past, this project champions the notion that heritage is not just a relic to be observed but a living part of our identities to be engaged with and honored.
