Tuscia Viterbese · 16th Century
The Park of Monsters
of Bomarzo
Sacro Bosco of Bomarzo: Italy’s most mysterious stone labyrinth.
In the 16th century, Prince Vicino Orsini created a place that defies time and logic: an initiatory woodland populated by monstrous creatures, enigmatic deities and impossible architectures. An experience of wonder, mystery and nature, just a short drive from Rome.
For up-to-date information on hours and tickets, always refer to the Park’s official channels.
History & Legend
The dream (and grief) of a Renaissance prince
The Sacro Bosco was born from the genius and torment of Pier Francesco Orsini, known as Vicino, lord of Bomarzo. The year was 1547: while Italy was filling with orderly, harmonious Italian-style gardens, Vicino chose a radically different path. With the help of architect Pirro Ligorio — the same man who worked on Villa d’Este in Tivoli — he conceived a place that rejected every symmetry, every rule, every predictability.
The park is an allegorical and sentimental journey, perhaps a way to process the grief of losing his beloved wife Giulia Farnese. A labyrinth of symbols where wonder intertwines with mourning, philosophy with alchemy, play with unease. An initiatory voyage that still, nearly five centuries later, questions and fascinates all who set foot within.
Abandoned for centuries, rediscovered in the 20th century by artists and intellectuals — including Salvador Dalí, who was deeply moved by it — the Sacro Bosco is today one of the most singular and visited places in Lazio, a true unicum in the art of European gardens.
Did you know?
- ✦Vicino Orsini simply called it his “boschetto” (little wood); it was later renamed “Sacro Bosco” (Sacred Grove) and finally “Parco dei Mostri” (Park of Monsters) for its grotesque and fantastical sculptures.
- ✦Salvador Dalí visited the park in 1948 and was deeply impressed, finding an affinity with his own surreal universe.
- ✦The sculptures are carved from boulders of peperino, a local volcanic stone, sculpted directly on site.
- ✦Bruno Zevi wrote: “At Bomarzo the scenic fiction is overwhelming; the observer cannot contemplate because he is immersed in it.”
The Iconic Sculptures
A stone labyrinth between dream and nightmare
The Park of Monsters has no set path. It is an invitation to get lost, to freely discover its wonders. Each sculpture is a chapter of a mysterious story, an unexpected encounter that sparks awe and questions.
The Ogre: “Every thought flies”
The park’s icon, a colossal peperino mask with a gaping mouth, almost a petrified scream. Inside, a bench and an inscription that invites you to let your thoughts go. Entering is a sensory, almost cathartic experience: your voice echoes, the light shifts, the outside world vanishes for a moment.
The Battle of the Giants
A tangle of muscle and stone, a scene of furious combat frozen at its most dramatic instant. The brute force and dynamic tension of the sculpture capture the eye and tell of a titanic clash between the primordial forces of nature.
The War Elephant
An armoured elephant gripping a Roman legionary in its trunk. An exotic and powerful vision in the heart of the Lazio woodland, a tribute to the great exploits and legends of Hannibal, who challenged Rome with his war elephants across the Alps.
The Leaning House
A building that defies gravity, tilted unnaturally to one side. Stepping inside provokes a sense of disorientation and vertigo, a perceptual trick devised by Vicino Orsini to unsettle the visitor and remind them that nothing is as it seems.
The Dragon and the Lions
Two fierce beasts, a winged dragon and a lion, locked in eternal combat. A symbol of the battle between good and evil, instinct and reason, carved with an expressive power that takes your breath away amid the green undergrowth.
The Sphinxes
Two enigmatic sphinxes, standing guard over a pathway. With their questioning gazes, they seem to pose a riddle to the visitor: an invitation to decipher the park’s mystery, to seek the hidden meaning behind every stone and every inscription.
The Dragon and the Tortoise
A mighty dragon battling fantastical creatures, surrounded by the silence of the wood. The sculpture, with its meticulous details and expressive force, is one of the most surprising encounters along the Sacro Bosco’s path.
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before entering the Sacro Bosco
Location
The Park of Monsters is located in Bomarzo, province of Viterbo, in the heart of the Tuscia region of Lazio. About 90 km from Rome and 20 km from Viterbo, it is easily accessible and pairs perfectly with visits to Civita di Bagnoregio, the Farnese Palace in Caprarola and the Etruscan villages of the area.
Opening hours (approximate)
The park is generally open every day, with hours varying by season. In spring and summer the hours are longer; in winter the park closes at sunset.
Tickets (approximate)
Full-price and reduced tickets are available. The adult ticket is approximately €13–15, with reductions for children (ages 4–13) and free admission for toddlers (ages 0–3).
How to get there
The most convenient way to reach the park is by car. For those using public transport, trains run to Orte or Viterbo, from where you can continue by local bus or taxi. Consider also an organised tour from Rome.
Practical tips
Hours, prices and tickets: rely only on official sources
The information on this page is approximate and may not be up to date. For confirmed hours, prices and access details, please always consult the official channels of the Park of Monsters of Bomarzo.
Who is Bomarzo perfect for?
One park, many possible experiences
Families
An open-air adventure, a world of fairy tales and fantastical creatures to discover with the children.
Couples
A romantic and mysterious walk, a place to lose and find yourselves among sculptures and nature.
Art & History
A Mannerist masterpiece, a journey into the mind of a visionary patron of the 16th century.
Photographers
An open-air photo set, an endless source of inspiration for unique and memorable shots.
Explorers
A riddle to solve, an initiatory experience among symbols, allegories and mysterious places.
Bomarzo in your journey
The heart of your itinerary in authentic Lazio
Bomarzo is not just a day-trip destination. It is the ideal starting point for a journey through Tuscia, a land rich in history, art and nature that surprises at every turn. A weekend or a three-day stay will let you visit the Park of Monsters at leisure and explore the surroundings.
Combine your visit to the Sacro Bosco with Civita di Bagnoregio, the “dying city” suspended in the void; with the Farnese Palace in Caprarola, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture; with the thermal baths of Viterbo and the Etruscan villages hidden among the hills. An itinerary that blends wonder, relaxation and discovery.
The journey begins here
Ready to enter the
realm of monsters?
A unique experience awaits you. A journey that will take you far in time and space, into a world where stone comes alive and dream blurs with reality. Don’t miss the chance to visit one of Italy’s most fascinating and mysterious places.
For questions, groups, schools or special needs, write to [email protected] or call +39 0761 924029.