The Gardens of Bomarzo, also known as the “Park of the Monsters” (Parco dei Mostri), are one of Italy’s most unique and surreal attractions. Located near Viterbo in the region of Lazio, this 16th-century garden is filled with gigantic stone sculptures, mythical creatures, and unusual architectural structures hidden among lush greenery.
Commissioned by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini as a tribute to his late wife, the park was designed to create an atmosphere of fantasy and mystery, reflecting themes from Renaissance art, literature, and mythology.
Gardens of Bomarzo Entry Ticket
Explore this unusual Park of Monsters and marvel at the incredible collection of grotesque sculptures scattered throughout a surreal landscape.
The story behind the Gardens of Bomarzo
The Gardens of Bomarzo, or “Sacro Bosco” (Sacred Wood), were created in the 16th century by the eccentric and grieving Italian nobleman, Pier Francesco Orsini. Following the tragic loss of his beloved wife, Giulia Farnese, Orsini commissioned architect Pirro Ligorio, famous for completing St. Peter’s Basilica after Michelangelo’s death, to design a garden unlike any other. Rather than a classical, harmonious space typical of the Renaissance, Orsini envisioned a place that would mirror his own sense of sorrow, confusion, and philosophical questioning.
The garden is filled with fantastical and grotesque statues of mythical creatures, giants, and monsters, seemingly scattered in a chaotic fashion. Each sculpture embodies elements of myth, legend, and allegory, often representing complex ideas about love, death, and human nature. Notably, the “Orcus” monster, with its gaping mouth inscribed with the words “All Thoughts Fly,” reflects the garden’s theme of introspection and emotional release.
For centuries, the garden was neglected and nearly lost to history, hidden beneath layers of overgrown foliage until it was rediscovered in the 20th century and restored.
Opening hours, Price and Tours
Opening Hours
The Gardens of Bomarzo are open daily from 9am until 6pm.
There’s a big parking lot right in front of the visitor centre.
Price
Full Price Rate – €13
Children (4 to 13) – €8
Fully Disabled – Free
Tours
If you’re not traveling by car you can still visit these beautiful gardens by booking one of these day trips.
What to expect
The Gardens of Bomarzo are located within a forested area and while the path leading you between the trees and among the statues is well maintained you will have to clamber a lot of stairs. Keep this in mind, especially if you’re traveling with a baby. For once I didn’t bring the baby carrier and my mom and me were dragging his stroller up and down the stairs a lot!
The atmosphere in the garden is both mysterious and enchanting. Unlike manicured Renaissance gardens, Bomarzo’s layout feels wild and organic, with sculptures appearing unexpectedly among the trees. There simply isn’t anything like it anywhere else. Just know that some of the sculptures can be a little bit scary, especially if you’re traveling with young kids that are easily spooked.
It’s ideal to set aside at least an hour or two to explore at a leisurely pace, taking in the detailed carvings and finding quiet spots to absorb the park’s eerie beauty.
There’s also a restaurant on site, as well as a souvenir shop, restrooms and a playground.
Best time to visit
You can visit the Gardens of Bomarzo year round but the forested area does add a lot to its charm. I can imagine that during winter time, when all the leaves have fallen down, it’s a lot less appealing. Plus on a rainy day the forested path and stone stairs might become pretty slippery.
The best time to visit the Gardens of Bomarzo is during the spring (April to June) and early fall (September to October). In these months, the temperatures are mild, and the lush greenery of the surrounding forest enhances the park’s mystical atmosphere.
To make the most of your visit, aim to arrive in the morning or late afternoon for optimal light and fewer crowds.
Things to do in the neighborhood
We explored the Gardens of Bomarzo during our road trip around Umbria and while technically just right on the outskirts of Umbria I really wanted to include them in our travel itinerary.
I had saved photographs of this park a long time ago so when I realized we would be rather close I went for it.
During our travels around Umbria we chose to stay in Murlo, a small town close to Perugia. On the day that we visited the Gardens of Bomarzo we combined it with a visit to Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio.
If you have any questions about how to visit Umbria, let me know in the comment section below.
More information on Umbria
11 Very Best Day Trips From Perugia
The Perfect 4 Day Umbria Travel Itinerary
The 5 Very Best Things To Do In Assisi
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