If you are planning to visit Italy and you want to sojourn or pass through the Lazio Region, you can’t miss the Monster’s park of Bomarzo, known also as Sacred Wood, especially if you’re travelling with your kids! (Is around 1 hour by car from Rome).
I had the chance to visit it couple of years ago with my family and even Arianna, my daughter that was just a little baby, remained impressed of this uncommon park!
The nickname Monster’s park is due to the presence of grotesque sculptures scattered in a surreal landscape. It was built by architect Pirro Ligorio commissioned by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini (known as Vicino), in 1547.
It consist of natural park of about 3 hectares, which houses original basalt sculptures that, apparently, have no connection between them, in a sort of mysterious labyrinth: can you imagine a better place for a child to live his own personal adventure?
Called also Sacro Bosco, this is an enigmatic park that don’t follow the architectural customs of the time, and inserts the various sculptures without any perspective scheme and without respecting proportions. Despite several studies, the purpose for its construction,is not certain, most probably was only a way of the owner (Orsini) to confuse and amaze the visitors…
On the death of Vicino Orsini, the park was abandoned and was restored only in the second half of the twentieth century.
This park of wonders was rediscovered and re-evaluated over time thanks to the interest of many artists, including Salvador Dalì.
At the entrance of the Park you receive the relative Map, but in my opinion is much more interesting to wander around the park freely: you can better feel the mysterious atmosphere! Even for kids, if you let them free to discover by themselves they will be more engaged: they will live a legendary adventure, with monsters, dragons, mythological characters, exotic animals, alternating with caves, fountains and even an leaning house!
The Map of the Park counts 36 point of interest, but in my opnion, If you travel with children you can select at least these 10 here below:
- The creepy Orc with his mouth wide open, which has become the symbol of the park
- The monstrous head of Proteo-Glauco
- The sphinxes at the entrance of the park
- The sculptural group of the Turtle
- The statue of Neptune
- The Dragon. It is a frightening monster with the appearance of a reptile.
- The Fountain of Pegasus
- The Temple ( is located in a perfect area for a bag lunch)
- The group of the Elephant with the tower, the guide and the legionary
- Last but not least…. ( for us was the best one) The Leaning House. This small house built on an inclined boulder and therefore deliberately leaning will drive the kids crazy!
Is not necessary to make a reservation to access to the Park, and for the children under 4 years old there is free entry. For all the informations such as the opening hours, price of tickets but also all the rules that must be respected visiting this magic location we suggest you to visit the website https://www.sacrobosco.it/enter.php?lang=eng
We have included the visit to Bomarzo’s Monster Park during a 3 days-trip around the Bolsena’s Lake: click here to be inspired about this tour! 🙂
