Bomarzo -This Bizarre Italian Garden is literally Full of Monsters: Here’s why

Some places in Italy are more inspiring and surreal than others. The Sacred Wood (Sacro Bosco), also known as the Park of the Monsters (Parco dei Mostri di Bomarzo), is one of them.

Located in the are of Viterbo, in the woods about 95 km from Rome, it is a labyrinth of giant stone sculptures and mysteries dating back to the 1500.
For centuries, it has enchanted visitors, artists, and dreamers with its strange, magnetic atmosphere.

And we are not exaggerating. The artist Salvador Dalí interrupted a trip to America to travel to Italy specifically to see the Parco dei Mostri. He was so fascinated that he painted The Temptation of Saint Anthony in 1964, drawing inspiration from the park. Years earlier, in 1948, Dalí had even produced a short film about it.

The Sacred Grove of Bomarzo is a very unique place, one of the most mysterious and esoteric in Italy. At first glance, the park appears filled with colossal and grotesque creatures: a giant turtle carrying a statue on its shell, a sea monster, elephants and a huge ogre’s head with an open mouth you can walk into above it, the inscription reads “Ogni ragione se ne va” (“All reason departs”).

Perhaps the reason behind these monsters has indeed departed or never existed at all. Maybe they were born from rivalry with neighboring estates, or from the weight of personal tragedies and overwhelming grief.

Or perhaps they represent something more universal: the monsters we all carry inside, the ones we try so hard to hide.

We can’t talk about the Bomarzo Park of Monsters without talking about its creator, Pier Francesco Orsini. Known as Vicino Orsini, he was a nobleman from one of Italy’s most ancient families in the mid-16th century.

At a time when Italy was shining with the classical harmony of Renaissance gardens among perfect symmetry, geometric layouts, and references to Greek and Roman ideals, Orsini envisioned something radically different: a garden without symmetry, without orderly paths, without rational structure.

In fact, Orsini’s garden feels as though it belongs to another era entirely. Many scholars believe that, as a highly cultured and visionary thinker, Orsini drew inspiration from the Utopia of Thomas More, an alternative world where imagination overrides logic.

Even today, centuries later, the real purpose of the garden remains a labyrinth of speculation. Some interpret it as a symbolic journey through art and literature. But most historians agree that it was also shaped by grief. After the death of his beloved wife, Giulia Farnese, Orsini may have commissioned sculptures that embodied sorrow, memory, mythology, and the subconscious.

And mystery is added to the mystery. For centuries, the Sacred Grove was abandoned for 300 years and only in recent centuries has it been cared for and made accessible to visitors.

The Leaning House
That the Park of the Monsters in Bomarzo was born out of grief becomes especially clear when you encounter the Leaning House.

This small, empty structure was built on a sloping rock, giving it a dizzying tilt. When you step inside, the sensation is disorienting: you may feel slightly nauseous, unbalanced, or as if the ground itself is shifting. According to unconfirmed but persistent legends, the house symbolizes the emotional vertigo of loss, the feeling of having all your points of reference suddenly disappear, as happens when you lose someone you love.

The Infernal Mask (The Ogre)
A giant face carved in stone appears to devour you as you approach, its gaping mouth forming a dark cavern. Above the entrance is an inscription that reads, “Ogni pensiero vola”: “Every thought flies.” Entering may feel like crossing into the underworld, yet inside you find a stone table, as if set for a feast.

Is it an invitation to confront your fears, to sit with them instead of running away? No one can say for certain, which only deepens its fascination.

The Temple
In contrast to the park’s distorted and surreal sculptures, the Temple is harmonious and classically shaped. Orsini dedicated it to his beloved wife, Giulia Farnese, who died young. Within the symbolic journey of the park, the Temple is often interpreted as a space of peace, a final resting place of emotional clarity achieved only after passing through chaos, sorrow, and transformation.

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Every trip begins while planning, doesn’t it? To make your experience less confusing and more enjoyable, keep in mind that Bomarzo is just over an hour’s drive from Rome.

This makes the park perfect for an easy day trip, where you can spend a few peaceful hours surrounded by nature and mystery.

To make the most of your visit, here are a few useful tips:

- Choose a weekday: weekends in spring, summer, and autumn can be quite crowded.

- Respect the environment: stay on marked paths and avoid climbing the sculptures while taking photos.

- Visiting with pets: dogs are not allowed inside the park. However, there are free kennels outside where you can leave your pet, equipped with water.

- Check the official website: opening hours and conditions may vary throughout the year.

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Yes, it’s a great family-friendly destination. The imaginative sculptures can spark curiosity and creativity in children, and there is also a playground, a restaurant, a bar, and a picnic area available.

If you are traveling with a dog, remember that pets cannot enter the park. Kennels are available outside.

The park is open daily, except on December 25th.
November, December, January, February: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

March to September (Daylight Saving Time): 9:00 am – 7:00 pm

October: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (Daylight Saving Time), 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Standard Time)

Tickets are available online:
€14.00 Adults (over 13 years)
€9.00 Children (4–13 years)
Free for children under 4

Note: Starting January 1, 2026, ticket prices will increase. Always check the official website before your visit.

The park can be visited independently in about 1.5 to 2 hours. Guided tours are offered only for special events or group bookings.

Bring a blanket if you’d like to have a picnic in the park and enjoy time on the lawn under the trees. Alternatively, you can dine at the on-site restaurant.

Autumn and spring are ideal. We recommend visiting between April and June or from September to October, when the temperatures are mild and the surrounding woodland is at its most scenic, either lush green or glowing with autumn colors.