The Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo is actually called in several ways, Parco dei Mostri, Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo or Villa delle Meraviglie, in English, Villa of Marvels, Sacred Wood or Park of monsters. Yes, it has many names!
We went there because Marco has a beautiful passion. He is totally in love with gardens. When it comes to go and see ancient gardens he goes completely crazy.
This passion obsession makes me really lucky, as I am probably one of the few architects that has an adventure mate whose job/studies are not architecture-related but still is into architecture hunting.
So, a few years ago we passed by Viterbo while riding to Naples. First, we step at Villa Lante in Bagnaia (Viterbo), another great villa with a large architectonic garden of the Renaissance. I might write about that in another post.
Finally, we reached the Gardens of Bomarzo, aka Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo (still Viterbo).
I believe there is no other way but a car to get there. I might be wrong, yet there is no info on the web page of the park, so you better call them (http://www.sacrobosco.it).
Nevertheless, this great park hosts several statues and small buildings that are related to ancient mythological characters, Greek and Roman heroes and monsters.
In 1552, the architect Pirro Ligorio made this marvelous and unique park for Francesco Orsini (aka Vicino Orsini) for him to cope with the death of his wife and to complete the transformation, started by his father, of the near Bomarzo castle into a palace.
You will find yourself into a wood of statues connected by a path. There is no architectural drawing behind the position of the “monsters”, as the goal of the architect was far from his contemporary tradition of the Italian Garden.
Among the “monsters“: the obelisks’ theatre, leaning tower (Torre pendente), Furia and Elchina with lions, the Etruscan bench and the Sphinx.
There is no doubt that monster there above ☝️ is the most famous.
You will find this at almost at the end of the path. On his lips, in red, you can read “Ogni pensiero vola” (Each thought flies). This monster is the representation of the Hellmount (Bocca dell’Inferno), but inside you will only find some sittings and a table.
It takes 1 hour/1 hour and a half to walk through the park and see all the statues. I believe the park is really nice for anyone, especially kids (they also have a little playground at the entrance).
If you are starving and you are looking for an ice cream they also have a little bar that also serves panini and small dishes.
Like this type of places? We have also been into the giant labyrinth of Labirinto della Masone. Click on this link to discover more.
If you are looking for a real Italian Garden, here you can find out about the garden of Villa Barberigo a Valsanzibio.
Fetzi Goes 