What You Need to Know: Useful Information
The Sacred Wood of Bomarzo, also known as the Park of Monsters, is located in a green valley in Lazio, Bomarzo, Viterbo, roughly 90 kilometers northwest of Rome. The Sacred Wood is a striking Mannerist garden dating back to the 16th century, commissioned by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini and designed by architect Pirro Ligorio. The park features impressive and unusual sculptures of monsters, mythical animals, and mythological figures carved directly into stone. This collection offers a unique and surreal atmosphere, contrasting with the symmetry and order of traditional Renaissance gardens. The park is a place where art, nature, and symbolism intertwine, offering a unique and stimulating setting for the imagination. A walk among these playful, stone shapes creates a captivating atmosphere for art and history lovers, as well as families with children. The visit lasts about two hours, and you can either use a map from the entrance or hire a tour guide for a deeper understanding of the artworks.
Getting There
By train
While Bomarzo does not have its own railway station, you can take a regional Trenitalia train from Rome directly to Orte railway station or Viterbo railway station. From either of these regional transit hubs, you will need to catch a connecting local bus to complete the journey to Bomarzo.
By car
Driving is one of the easiest ways to reach the green valley at your own pace. From Rome, take the A1 motorway north, exit at Orte, and then continue along the provincial road following the signs directly to Bomarzo.
By bus
For public transit travelers, local suburban buses link the nearby towns of Viterbo and Orte directly to the village of Bomarzo. Alternatively, visitors can opt to join organized tours that depart directly from the capital.
Below you'll find the location marked on Google Maps. Click on it to open the location directly on your device's maps.
Useful Contacts
- Parco dei Mostri di Bomarzo (Official Park Ticket & Information Office): +39 0761 924029 | [email protected] | sacrobosco.it
What to Bring & Pro Tips
- Because exploring this Mannerist wonderland requires walking along natural, unpaved pathways through a valley, ensure you wear comfortable walking shoes or sneakers with good traction.
- The visit lasts about two hours, so packing a refillable water bottle is highly recommended, especially during warmer months.
- To fully appreciate the layout, grab a map from the entrance or consider hiring a tour guide, as many of the stone carvings hide complex historical allegories and symbols that aren't immediately obvious.
The “Hidden Gem”:
Once you have finished deciphering the stone riddles and monsters of the Sacred Wood, leave the valley behind and take a short drive to explore the mesmerizing, ghost-town ruins of Ancient Chia and the Pasolini Tower.
Instead of looking at heavily manicured tourist spots, head just a few kilometers east toward Soriano nel Cimino to find the secluded medieval village of Chia. Tucked away in the dense woods, this atmospheric site features the ruins of a medieval castle and a striking, isolated tower that the famous Italian filmmaker and poet Pier Paolo Pasolini fell in love with and purchased in the 1970s as a private creative retreat. Below the tower, paths wind through a dramatic gorge filled with forgotten stone watermills, ancient Etruscan tombs, and moss-covered waterfalls. Walking through these silent, wild ruins offers a wonderfully poetic, peaceful break from the main park crowds, rewarding travelers with a look at a hidden landscape where nature and history have completely fused together.
