Museo del Profumo

About the museum

Sant'Elena Sannita is a small Molise commune that grew up as a village of perfumers: for generations its inhabitants worked in the perfume trade, particularly in Rome, and the town presented itself as “città del profumo” (“perfume town”). To tell this story and to counter depopulation, the Fondazione Il Cammino del Profumo was established in 2004, at the wish of the municipal administration and members of the local community.

The Museo del Profumo, with an adjoining botanical garden, was opened on 17 August 2014. The collection occupies two floors and includes around 1,400 pieces of modern perfumery from the early 20th century onwards, kept in valuable cabinets: original perfumes, in many cases still bearing their price, mostly no longer in production, apart from some great names in the history of perfumery. The core of the collection is the result of more than a century of collecting by the perfumers of Sant’Elena, saved by the Muzio family and then donated to the Foundation.

In collaboration with the Parco scientifico e tecnologico dell’Università degli Studi del Molise, a botanical and agronomic study was carried out that identified around 250 wild species in the area, some of which are suitable for cultivation for perfumery. The Foundation has also promoted the first perfumes dedicated to the town, “Voira” and “Ventunora”, and organises the “Il Cammino del Profumo” days every year.

Highlights

• Around 1,400 pieces of modern perfumery from the early 20th century
• Collection across two floors, kept in valuable cabinets
• Botanical garden with essences for perfumery
• History of the perfumers of Sant'Elena Sannita
• The perfumes “Voira” and “Ventunora”, dedicated to the town

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione di profumeria moderna – Around 1,400 perfumes from the early 20th century across two floors, with original bottles and early editions collected by the town’s perfumers.

Founded

2014

Operated by

Fondazione Il Cammino del Profumo

Visitors per year

approx. 800

Admission & discounts

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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