Bomarzo Monster Park, the enchanted forest of Tuscia in Italy

The Monster Park, also known as the Sacred Garden of Bomarzo, is located in the village of Bomarzo in the province of Viterbo. It is one of the most evocative gardens in central Italy. It is a forest populated by mysterious and grotesque sculptures depicting scary-looking mythological creatures, all made of basalt and spread over an area of about 3 hectares. This dreamlike place give life to a surreal and enigmatic landscape – a place where nature and architecture intertwine with historical characters from Renaissance literature and ancient myths and legends.



Designed in the 16th century by architect Pirro Ligorio, and commissioned by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini in memory of his wife Giulia Farnese, the park is meant to represent a philosophical path towards purification, a sort of path to defeat our “inner monsters". There are many scholars who have tried to reveal the secrets of this artistic complex but to no avail. It therefore remains up to the visitor to give their own personal interpretation. Among the various statues of sirens, sphinxes and dragons, you can find characters such as "Hercules", the "Three Graces", "Pegasus" and of course the famous "Orc" – the enormous face with a wide-open mouth with a terrifying gaze – today the symbol of the Park. Then there is the "Leaning House" which was specially built on a sloping boulder and is considered one of the most fascinating extravaganzas in the garden.



Another name attributed to the Park is "Villa of Wonders", a unique place created to amaze anyone with its world of references and hidden meanings. It is one of the oldest sculpture parks in the modern world. Bomarzo is about 65 miles from Rome and can be easily reached by car on the A1 motorway, from the Orte exit (from the south) and Attigliano exit (from the north). The Monster Park is open all year round withvarying opening times depending on the season. From November to February from 9AM to 5PM, from March to September 9AM to 7PM and only for October from 9AM to 6PM.

For further information regarding reservations and ticket prices, you can consult the official Sacro Bosco website.

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