Bomarzo: The Enchanted Park of Monsters
In the green heart of northern Lazio, not far from Viterbo, lies the small medieval town of Bomarzo — a place where myth, art, and imagination intertwine. While the town itself is charming, with narrow lanes and stone houses perched on a tufa hill, Bomarzo is best known for one extraordinary site: the Parco dei Mostri, or Park of the Monsters.
A Renaissance Garden Like No Other
The park was created in the 16th century by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini, known as Vicino Orsini. Grieving the death of his beloved wife, he commissioned a series of gigantic stone sculptures scattered through a wooded valley — a garden not of beauty and symmetry, like other Renaissance gardens, but of wonder, mystery, and emotion.
Walking through the Sacred Wood of Bomarzo feels like entering a dream. Enormous creatures emerge from the moss and trees: a dragon fighting lions, a sea monster, a tilted house that defies gravity, and the famous Orcus, a massive open-mouthed face that invites visitors to step inside. Each sculpture seems to hide a riddle, a fragment of myth, or a personal symbol of grief and love.
Between Fantasy and Philosophy
Unlike the grand gardens of Florence or Rome, Bomarzo’s park was not meant to impress with order or luxury. It was created as a private world of reflection, where stone and nature merge to express human emotion. Some see it as a monument to loss; others as an early expression of surrealism — centuries before modern art gave the movement its name.
Writers, artists, and filmmakers have drawn inspiration from this strange, poetic place. Salvador Dalí visited Bomarzo in the 1930s, calling it “unique in the world,” and Jean Cocteau and Niki de Saint Phalle later echoed its influence in their own fantastical works.
Exploring the Town
After visiting the park, it’s worth taking time to explore Bomarzo’s old town. The historic center climbs the hillside in narrow lanes leading up to the Orsini Palace, a Renaissance fortress that still overlooks the valley. From its terraces, you can see the Tiber River winding through the countryside, and on clear days, the hills of Umbria beyond.
Small cafés and trattorias offer a chance to relax and taste local specialties — from handmade pasta with porcini mushrooms to simple dishes flavored with olive oil from the surrounding area.
Practical Information
- Location: Province of Viterbo, Lazio, Italy
- Distance from Rome: About 100 km north (1.5 hours by car)
- Main attraction: Parco dei Mostri (Park of the Monsters)
- Opening hours: Open daily; hours vary by season
- Best time to visit: Spring and autumn, when the park’s forest is green and the light brings the sculptures to life
Why Visit Bomarzo
Bomarzo is more than a tourist attraction — it’s an encounter with imagination itself. Whether you come for art, history, or curiosity, the Park of the Monsters offers an experience that is mysterious, emotional, and unforgettable.
It’s a reminder that beauty in Italy doesn’t only live in perfection — sometimes, it’s found in the strange, the unexpected, and the deeply human.
