Gardens of Bomarzo
Parco dei Mostri, also known as Sacro Bosco or Villa delle Meraviglie di Bomarzo, is a monumental complex located in Bomarzo, in the province of Viterbo. Built in the 16th century on a commission from Prince Pier Francesco Orsini, the park is adorned with numerous peperino marble sculptures depicting mythological animals, gods and monsters.
Architect Pirro Ligorio was commissioned to design and build the park in 1547, introducing the grotesque genre to the complex. Many of the sculptures in the park are attributed to Simone Moschino. The park, originally named “grove,” was dedicated by Prince Orsini to his wife Giulia Farnese.
The park’s main attractions include the Sphinxes, Proteus, the Mausoleum, Hercules and Cacus, the Pegasus Fountain, the Nymphaeum, the Elephant, the Dragon, the Orc, and many other enigmatic sculptures and constructions.
Abandoned after the death of the last Orsini prince in 1585, the park was restored in the 20th century by the couple Giancarlo and Tina Severi Bettini. Salvador Dalí visited the park in 1948 and called it a unique historical invention.
The Monster Park covers an area of about 3 hectares and is home to sculptures of various sizes, mainly made of basalt, which create an evocative and surreal environment intended to confuse and surprise visitors.
Opening Hours.
Daily
September - March
08:30 - sunset
April - August
08:30 - 19:00
Prices
Normal
13 €
Reduced 4 - 13 years old
8 €
0-4 Years
Free
