The Gardens of Bomarzo (Sacro Bosco) are one of the most unique and strange monumental complexes that can be visited in Italy. A work of the Renaissance, but very far from the aesthetic canons to which we are accustomed. And therefore it is a most peculiar and suggestive visit. You just have to dare to meet her.
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| Gardens of Bomarzo Park of the Monsters History |
Where are the Gardens of Bomarzo?
These gardens are in the town that gives them their name. A population about 90 kilometers from Rome that is integrated into the province of Viterbo. In other words, we are in the Lazio region, in the center of Italy, so whether you decide to visit on the day or spend the night in the area, there will be no problem getting there, or staying in the surroundings.
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| Gardens of Bomarzo Park of the Monsters History |
The Sacred Forest of Bomarzo
On one of the park benches you can read the following inscription:
"You who go through the world, wanderers, seeking to see stupendous wonders, come here, where are the faces of hideous elephants, lions, bears, ogres, and dragons."
That is to say, for all of you, travel lovers, here you are going to find a kingdom of fantasy, but in very different terms from places like Disneyland or the usual theme parks.
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| Gardens of Bomarzo Park of the Monsters History |
We are in a historic space, built in the mid-16th century by Duke Pier Francesco Orsini, at the time one of the richest men in Italy, but who had the misfortune of being born with a hunchback.
In addition, his destiny was to be a military man, although his character was more that of an artist. And as if that were not enough, he had to see how his beloved wife, Julia Farnesio, died. And that was the trigger to have these gardens built.
The sculptures of Bomarzo
He commissioned the park project to Pirro Ligorio, an architect and sculptor who had worked on other aristocratic villas of the great Italian families, such as Villa d'Este or Villa Lante. But here he charged that the result be far from beauty and joy.
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| Gardens of Bomarzo Park of the Monsters History |
That is to say, he wanted to monumentally capture his state of mind, dejected and sad. Hence, throughout the park you can see figures of dragons or the famous Orcus, an ogre with an open mouth whose appearance changes as sunlight affects his features. But we also see figures such as Hercules dismembering Caco or an elephant trampling a legionnaire, which represents the triumph of wisdom over strength.
The visit to Bomarzo
The truth is that when you go through the Gardens of Bomarzo, the interpretation of the whole is rather complicated, because apparently there is not much union between the works. Some sculptures made of the volcanic stone of the area and that have surely gained a lot over time.
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| Gardens of Bomarzo Park of the Monsters History |
In fact, the gardens practically fell into oblivion as soon as their builder died, and they were not valued again until well into the 20th century. By then, the gardens were dominated by exuberant vegetation, among which these works seem to emerge, whose stone has left its mark over the centuries. Something that further enhances the atmosphere of mystery that surrounds the whole.
A recommendation
If you are going to visit Italy doing a trip on your own, do not forget to come to the province of Viterbo, to see places such as the Tuscia Botanical Garden, the city of Viterbo itself and its thermal baths, or Lake Bolsena.
And above all, do not overlook the Gardens of Bomarzo. To recreate yourself in this unusual garden and much more fun than a travel guide, you can read the novel Bomarzo by the writer Manuel Mújica Láinez.