S. Stefano of Sessanio rose during Roman Empire. Its name comes from the Latin word "Sextantia" meaning that the village was six miles far from the ancient Peltinum, a strategic crossroads for the commercial routes between Rome and the Adriatic coast.

Under the Romans, the village of Sessanio stood at the bottom of the hill, in the same place where an observation post would be built in the Middle Ages. The exact position is probably near to the place where the cemetery and the Church of S. Stefano Protomartire are situated at present.

The decay of Roman Empire and the near Peltinum deeply changed the economy of the area.

In the early Middle Ages, the incredible growth of the population was due to the settlement of Benedictine monks in the plain of Campo Imperatore in the Monastery of S. Maria del Monte - which is known as Casanova’s Monastery among the elderly of the village – especially for their vast land reclamation job called "Bonifica" and the boost of sheep-breeding. Consequently small fortified villages rose, often situated in strategic positions to easily keep control of the territory.

In the XVIth century Santo Stefano of Sessanio belonged to Carapelle’s barony and, in 1415, was given to Antonio Tedeschini Piccolomini, Celano’s Count, as a feud. The Piccolomini Family owned the feud for over 150 years until 1579 when it was given to the Medicis.

Under the Medicis, the village had the most flourishing period of its history. The construction of a defensive outer edge made of wall-houses and the main gateways were built during this period. The gateway to the square built by the Medicis still bears their family coat of arms.

In addition to the architectonic extensions, there was a growing interest in the local products and the famous black wool – called "carfagna"- which led the merchants to increase their business in these areas. Thus the practice of "transhumance" was started and today in the summer it still moves millions of head from the southern territories of Puglia to the pastures of Abruzzo.

After being a property of the Medicis, the village was included in the Reign of the Two Sicily and became the King of Naples’ private estate. In 1810, after the unity of Italy, it became a municipality.

The practice of transhumance ended in the 1850s and marked the end of the prosperity of S. Stefano of Sessanio and of all the villages nearby based on sheep-breeding.

Thus a deep socio-economic crisis developed, leading to the emigration of the population towards foreign countries. At the turn of the century, most of S. Stefano’s inhabitants left for France, Germany, Belgium, United States and Canada which offered more job opportunities.

During the Second World War, the village was occupied by German troops as a privileged observation post, establishing their Headquarters in the "Captain’s House".

The Tower enabled them to spot the movement of troops miles away, thus carrying out again its initial function.

The migration continued to be intense even after the Second World War, drastically reducing the population. Today the village has no more than 100 inhabitants, most of which are elderly.

Over the Seventies the economic activities of the area went on crisis dramatically contrasted by its unfavourable geographic position.

In 1974, the first edition of Lentil Festival was carried out obtaining a great success thanks to the tastiness of the lentils cultivated in the land surrounding the village. This quality is the only one that can be compared to the famous lentils from Castelluccio.

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