Bomarzo Sacred Wood
This post is also available in:
Italiano (Italian)
This sacred wood, also known as “Parco dei Mostri” (Park of the monsters”), is a monumental area on the slopes of a natural amphitheater, in the province of Viterbo. It was designed in 1552, at the behest of Prince Pier Francesco Orsini who tasked architect Pirro Ligorio with the creation of a labyrinth of symbols in the estate of Bomarzo.
He wanted to get himself lost wandering among gigantic statues carved in stones, representing monstrous creatures.
The Italian gardens in the wood are built with a geometric and prospective basis, with ornaments like large terraces, fountains, and mannerist sculptures.
In the thicket there are figures of monsters, dragons, mythological subjects, and exotic animals protruding from the ground; there’s also a leaning house, a funeral temple, fountains, seats, and obelisks engraved with various mottos and inscriptions.
Upon entering the garden, visitors are welcomed by two great Sphinxes, animals and stone figures like an elephant about to kill a warrior, fighting dragons, Sleeping Beauty in the woods, Hercules tearing Cacus apart, lurking bears, a three-headed animal, Neptune on the top of a basin, and finally the “Mascherone” (“Big mask”, the symbol of the park). The latter looks like a giant orc head with a wide-open mouth leading to a cave; above the head, there is a world-map dominated by a model of the Orsini Castle, used as a symbol of power.
After Orsini’s demise, the park was abandoned and restored after some centuries.
In April, during Saint Anselmo Festival, (the patron of Bomarzo), a knight tournament is still held, introduced by a procession and a celebration of the typical, local biscuit.
This post is also available in:
Italiano (Italian)
Contatti
Loc. Giardino s.n.c - 01020 Bomarzo(VT)
0761 924029
info@parcodeimostri.com
Altre info
Ingresso a pagamento : intero 10,00 euro; bambini (da 4 a 13 anni) 8,00 euro; accompagnatori di disabili 10,00 euro. Non è richiesta la prenotazione.
Orario continuato tutti i giorni dell'anno: 08.30 - 19.00 (01/04 - 31/10); 08.30 al tramonto (01/11 - 31/03).
