The chimney sweep museum

Villa Antonia and its surrounding park is home to the Chimney Sweep Museum of Santa Maria Maggiore. An interactive, multimedia exhibition brings alive the history of the so-called “rüsca”. The rüsca were young children who were hired out as chimney sweeps because they were able to climb into the narrow chimney stacks.

The exhibition also displays items, tools, clothes and images, as well as gifts which the chimney sweeps have brought with them from all parts of the world to their gathering at Santa Maria Maggiore. The meeting usually takes place on the first weekend in September.