09 Jan Rebuilding and awakening an abandoned valley
When we first set foot in the Gello Valley, it was a place frozen in time. The village of Borgo di Gello, abandoned for decades, was nothing more than a collection of old stone houses slowly being reclaimed by nature. The land was vast, wild, and serene, but also full of potential. At that moment, none of us could have predicted the incredible journey that would unfold. We saw something in Gello, a vision of restoration, renewal, and, above all, community.
That was 10 years ago, and since then, we’ve been turning abandoned houses into welcoming homes, slowly bringing the valley back to life. The goal? Not just to renovate buildings, but to revive a place, to keep its old soul intact while adding a bit of modern flair. We didn’t want to strip away the history of the village, we just wanted to add some creature comforts (and Wi-Fi) to make it livable for today’s guests.
Rebuilding with a Respect for the Past
When you start working on buildings that have been sitting around for centuries, there’s a lot of “What do we keep?” and “What can we fix?” involved. The beauty of Gello is in its imperfections, the old stone walls, the quirky beams, and even the odd creak or two. We’ve made sure to preserve these features while incorporating modern amenities. Sure, the place needed some serious care, but instead of knocking everything down, we’ve repurposed materials wherever we could. Old windows, reclaimed doors, and stone walls now have a second life, and we’re pretty proud of that.
The goal is simple: keep the character, make it comfortable. For example, no one needs to sleep in a drafty stone house with a broken roof, but we don’t want it to feel like we’ve transformed it into just another cookie-cutter hotel either. The secret is balance, and sometimes it’s about finding the perfect blend of rustic charm and “please don’t fall through the floorboards.”
Bringing Nature Back (With Some Help from Us)
When we first arrived, nature had pretty much taken over, wild vines, shrubs, and trees were reclaiming the land. It was beautiful, but also a little too wild. So, we did what any responsible landowner would do: we got to work. We’ve replanted, pruned, and watered, creating gardens and green spaces that guests can actually enjoy. Our veggie garden, for example, is thriving, now guests can pick fresh tomatoes, basil, and herbs straight from the garden (yes, it’s as satisfying as it sounds).
And speaking of nature, we’ve tried to make sure our relationship with it is symbiotic. The valley is full of wildlife, and while we’re not exactly sharing our flowers with the horses, we’re learning to live with them. They like to munch on the plants we’ve carefully grown, but hey, at least they’re not picky eaters. We’ve embraced the challenge, and now the whole place feels like a true extension of nature.
A Community in the Making
One of the best parts of this journey has been the people we’ve met along the way. From our dedicated team who work tirelessly to help us bring this vision to life, to the local artisans, farmers, and guests who are now a part of Gello’s revived story. It turns out, the valley isn’t just about the buildings—it’s about the people who bring it to life. The guests, the staff, the neighbors all contribute to the vibe that makes Novanta something special.
As the village grows, so does the sense of community. Sure, we’re still in the middle of a valley, and it’s not exactly next door to a bustling city, but that’s part of the charm. We’ve got people from all over the world coming together to share stories, laughter, and plenty of good wine.
What’s Next? A Lot More Fun
When we look ahead, there’s still a lot of work to do. More houses to renovate, more gardens to plant, more guests to welcome. But we’re not done yet. Every new project is a chance to keep improving, keep growing, and keep having fun.
We’ve learned a lot over the past 10 years—how to restore, how to preserve, and maybe most importantly, how to work alongside nature without trying to control it. The beauty of this place is in its imperfection, and that’s what makes it so special. The valley is awake again, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.
So, here’s to the next 10 years of making the Gello valley even better, one stone at a time.