Santa Maria Maggiore between Craftsmanship, Fragrance and Nature

Santa Maria Maggiore combines unique cultural and historical features with trails through Valle Vigezzo. If you are looking for a place for your holiday in Italy with museums, regional stories and opportunities for hiking or cycling, you can combine different interests here. In the historic center, on the façade of an old church and at special events, the distinctive character of the place becomes tangible.

Craftsmanship and History in the Town

The Museo dello Spazzacamino in the historic center of Santa Maria Maggiore is the only museum in Italy dedicated to the chimney-sweeping trade. Another historical reference is the Scuola di Belle Arti Rossetti Valentini, which was founded in 1878. The Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Assunta is also located in the center. It is the oldest church in Valle Vigezzo and preserves Romanesque elements on its façade. These three places offer different perspectives on craftsmanship, the history of education and sacred architecture.

The Culture of Fragrance at Casa del Profumo

Casa del Profumo is dedicated to the history of Eau de Cologne, which was invented at the beginning of the 18th century by the two people from Vigezzo, G. Feminis and G. Farina. The house includes a garden with a small citrus grove as well as herbs and aromatic plants used in Acqua di Colonia. Visitors can touch and smell raw materials there and try out fragrances for themselves. For planning your trip, this offers a vivid introduction to a regional history conveyed not only through buildings and dates but also through scents and plants.

The Raduno Internazionale dello Spazzacamino

The Raduno Internazionale dello Spazzacamino takes place every year on the first weekend of September. The gathering includes a traditional Sunday procession through the streets of Santa Maria Maggiore. More than 1,000 chimney sweeps from around the world make their way through the town. If you plan your trip for this date, it creates a clear cultural focus on the calendar; at the same time, the procession remains closely connected to the craft tradition to which the Museo dello Spazzacamino is also dedicated.

Hiking, Cycling and National Park

Santa Maria Maggiore and Valle Vigezzo are connected by dozens of hiking and cycling trails. This means you can complement the cultural attractions during your stay with exercise and landscapes. Santa Maria Maggiore is also a municipality within Val Grande National Park. When choosing your hotel, you can therefore consider whether the cultural themes in the town or the trails and nature experiences of Valle Vigezzo should be the focus of your trip.

Regional Flavors

The Latteria Vigezzina in Santa Maria Maggiore is a good local culinary reference point. It stocks Formaggio Ossolano DOP and other types of cheese. The protected name refers to a specific regional product, while the wider range offers additional insights into the area’s cheese culture.

More Destinations

For further planning of your trip to Italy: Trasquera, San Domenico, Cannobio, Pollino, Omegna, Belgirate, Cesara and Quarna Sopra.

For the higher-level travel overview: Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.