The men from here were knife-grinders, and they plied the trade in Rome: a bicycle turned into a workshop with a grindstone on the frame, and under that stone surgeons' instruments and barbers' razors. To serve the barbers better they took to selling them talc and shaving foam as well: which is how a good number of Rome's perfumeries ended up in the hands of Sant'Elena families.
A statue in the village remembers the trade. Until 1896 the place was called Cameli, and because the name sounded like cammello, camel, a camel duly went onto the coat of arms — a false etymology, pure and simple. Then came the new name, in honour of Saint Helena. The population is 260.
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📅 Every year, on 29 September
On 29 September Sant'Elena Sannita celebrates Saint Michael the Archangel in the parish church dedicated to him; the village also hosts the Museum of Perfumes.
Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Sant'Elena Sannita, but an easy day trip away.
