Top 10 Interesting Facts about Park of the Monsters in Bomarzo

The Gate Park of the Monsters in Bomarzo. Picture By Daderot. Wikimedia

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Park of the Monsters in Bomarzo

The Sacro Bosco (Sacred Wood), also known as the Parco dei Mostri (Park of the Monsters) by Italians, is a monumental complex in Bomarzo, in the Province of Viterbo, in northern Lazio, Italy.

The Garden of Bomarzo is filled with Grotesque sculptures, mythological animals, massive stone monsters, and small buildings set among the natural vegetation. The Monster Park was never intended to be beautiful or appealing.

It was commissioned by Pince Pier Francesco Orsini, also known as Vicino, and is located beneath the castle of Orsini.

This was a display of grief intended to shock the viewer. However, I believe it is not as frightening as it appears. Let’s take a look at some of the incredible facts about this Park;

1. The park was Commissioned in 1552 by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini

It was an expression of grief designed to shock. The Prince, also known as Vicino, had just been through a brutal war, had his friend killed, been held for ransom for years, and come home only to have his beloved wife die.

Racked with grief, the Prince wanted to create a shocking “Villa of Wonders” and hired architect Pirro Ligorio to help him do so.

Ligorio was a widely respected architect and artist and had previously completed the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Rome after the death of Michelangelo, as well as the Villa d’Este in Tivoli. This was to be an unusual, but interesting job for him.

2. The park has fascinating sculptures

The elephant in the park of monsters, in Bomarzo (Italy). By Alessio Damato. Wikimedia

The park is filled with bizarre and fascinating sculptures for which only the accompanying inscriptions provide any explanation.

Among the pieces are a war elephant, a monstrous fishhead, a giant tearing another giant in half, and a house built on a tilt to disorient the viewer.

Perhaps the most frightening piece in the garden is an enormous head, mouth opened wide in a scream. The accompanying inscription reads “all reason departs.”

3. Short films and novels narrate more about the park

Salvador Dalí visited the park and loved it. He was so inspired, he shot a short film there, and the sculptures inspired his 1946 painting The Temptation of Saint Anthony. Jean Cocteau was also a fan of the park. Other artists followed, and a novel, libretto, and opera have all been based on the park.

4. A temple is built to honor the Princes second wife

The temple in the park. Picture By Etienne (Li). Wikimedia

Built during the Italian Renaissance, the garden layout bore little resemblance to the symmetry of other Renaissance gardens, and the art was made in a rough “Mannerist” style, a sort of 16th-century version of Surrealism.

It makes sense, then, that the Surrealists loved it. While there is no way of truly knowing how the Prince felt about the park, the final addition indicates that perhaps he was getting over his melancholy.

Built 20 years after the park was begun, it is not a monster but a temple, built to honor his second wife.

5. The park was created at the end of the Renaissance time 

The park is also called “bosco Sacro” which means holy wood because it is more like wood rather than a renaissance garden. In fact, the park was created at the end of the Renaissance time and is in a certain way anticipating the Baroque period.

While visiting the wood, mysterious animals, monsters and decorations will appear to you like a labyrinth of symbols.

After the death of prince Orsini, the park was abandoned. Only in the 18th century important artists such as Goethe and Dali, began to interpret the symbols and decorations.  

6. Bomarzo Park Fantastical creatures have a different meaning

Ogre in the park of monsters, close to Bomarzo (Italy). By Alessio Damato. Wikimedia

These creatures are references to mythology: the head of the sea monster Proteus-Glaucus, the statue of the God Neptune, the Winged Pegasus, the giant Turtle, and the Elephant. Mythical figures like the statue of Echidna: half woman and half serpent.

The Fight between the Giants is certainly among the most beautiful and impressive: the statue represents Hercules who kills Caco, the son of the God Vulcan.

But the statue that fascinates but worries, even more, is surely that of the Ogre with its mouth wide open. “Those who enter, leave all reason behind” are the words inscribed on the ogre’s mouth. Inside, there is a table with chairs for visitors to use.

7.  The special Il Sacro Bosco (The Sacred Wood)

The wood of this park is considered “sacred”. In fact, it is full of optical illusions that disorient visitors so that they abandon their certainties. Was this the intent of the prince?

To stir consciences to make us understand that nothing in this world is really certain. And that then, the only way out is to escape into a surreal dimension. Surreal liked the style of the great artist Salvador Dalì who made the dream his main theme. The Sacred Wood of the Gardens of Bomarzo was precisely one of the places from which the artist drew inspiration for his paintings, sculptures, and other artistic expressions.

If you want to test your ability to remain rational and not give in to imagination, try entering the Leaning House. An amazing experience that will put your balance to the test.

8. The garden is privately owned, but it is open to the public.

The gardens became neglected and overgrown in the latter half of the nineteenth century, but the current owners, the Bettini family, implemented a restoration program in the 1970s. The gardens are still privately owned, but they are open to the public and have become a major tourist attraction in Viterbo.

 9. The park is a tourist attraction site

Tourists in Bomarzo Park. Picture By Daderot. Wikimedia

The Park of Bomarzo is really unique because differently from other Renaissance Italian villas and gardens, it was intended as an adventurous sequence of apparitions, basically a labyrinth of symbols that visitors are supposed to discover step by step.

The park is a continuous discovery indeed: wandering through steep paths you will stumble upon massive, animated stones. Surrounded by the deep silence of the woods stand impressive stone animals and figures.

Bomarzo Park with its Monsters and Wonders really suits everyone: youngsters and grown-ups will both smile and marvel at the stone monsters during this day trip from Rome. The visit is absolutely recommended and we really encourage you to put on your most comfortable shoes and visit this place in person!

Keep reading for information, visiting hours, and tickets and to discover the highlights of Bomarzo Park of Monsters! at the end of this article.

10. The Bettini family rebuilt the Park

The park, which is close to the Sacred Wood of Pitigliano and the Villa of Caprarola, to name a few nearby works, is three hectares in size and is covered in conifers and broad-leaved trees.

After the prince’s death, it was completely abandoned and rediscovered only towards the middle of the last century by the Bettini Family, who fortunately saved it from decay with great effort and money.

This is why some of the works can no longer be found in their original location and why some inscriptions are nearly completely erased or difficult to read, making their interpretation even more enigmatic.

The Monster Park is open every day of the year at the following times:

08.30 a.m.- 19.00 p.m. (from April to August)

08.30 a.m. – to sunset (from September to March)

Admission prices are as follows:

Per Person: €10.00

Children (4 to 13 years): €8.00

There is a discount for large groups and schools. It is necessary to book at least two days in advance.

Entrance is free to disabled people

Facilities at the park include:

• Parking
• Bar
• Snack Bar
• Book Shop
• Children’s Area

Telephone Number: 0039 0761 924029

Email: info@parcodeimostri.com