Images from Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Abruzzo

In the 19th century the decadence of the ancient transhumance economy brought about the decline of the place and a massive emigration emigration. More recently this ancient town is having a renaissance, thanks to investments in tourism,of residents, encouraged by an enlightened young entrepreneur, Daniele Elow Kihlgren, who started to buy and renovate the ancient houses to establish an "albergo diffuso" (=widespread hotel) for tourists.

[The images below were taken in 1999, the fine round tower built by the Medici family was destroyed in the 2009 earthquake.]