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The Once Upon a Time Museum: the vanished world of the Lepini Mountains comes back to life in Sermoneta
In the heart of the medieval village of Sermoneta, at the foot of the Lepini Mountains, a small marvel lies hidden: the 'C'era una volta' Museum. It is not just a collection of objects. Here, life as it once was is told through six large animated scenes, where dozens of hand-crafted figures move and work. A miniature world pulsing with life.
A theatre of peasant life
Each scene is a small masterpiece. Daniela Caruso, the museum owner, has hand-crafted every single figure, equipping them with mechanisms that bring them to life. They harvest olives, catch fish, and make cheese in the old farmsteads. The settings are built from cork, papier-mâché and plaster, recreating atmospheres with great care. It is a work of incredible patience.
Details that tell stories
The six "tableaux" — as they call them here — are not simply work scenes. They take in the whole of life. There is the merchants' square, craftsmen's workshops, scenes of domestic life. It is like peering through a keyhole into a vanished world. An experience that children love enormously, and that strikes adults by awakening memories and remembering the stories told by grandparents.
The museum is privately owned, and is located in the historic centre. As opening hours may vary, it is always a good idea to call ahead before visiting to confirm that it is open.
