Magnusmade by Lorenzo
  • Books
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked In
  • Contact
       

GoodReads

  • Home
  • About
    • Who I am
    • What I do
  • Books
    • The Love Fool
    • A Mistake Incomplete
  • Blog
    • Writing
    • Travel
    • Food
    • Cocktails
    • Recipes
  • Events
  • Contact

Magnusmade

Lorenzo Petruzziello | Author Website + Blog

Italy, Rome, Travel · October 17, 2019

Park of Monsters in the Sacred Woods

I once trekked (literally) to the medieval town of Bomarzo located near Viterbo, north of Rome; to visit the eerie Park of Monsters, also known as the Sacred Woods.

As I mentioned, it was a damn trek and a half… but, once we got to the ghostly quiet town of Bomarzo, we literally walked down a steep hill to find the park. This place is truly off the beaten path! (Note: we took public transport – but I suggest driving there; more about that below).

Why go all this way? Well, what intrigued us about the park was the colossal sculptures made out of the boulders on the property, in addition to the story for the creation of this odd park.

Legend

According to local legend, in the late 1500’s Prince Vicino Orsini commissioned the park to represent the pain he felt for the loss of his wife. Artists were instructed to sculpt the designs out of the boulders on the property.  It is believed the designs were to reflect his insane state of mind over the death of his wife.

The sculptures, scattered throughout the woods, include a monster, dragon, mermaid, sphinx, giant turtle, whale, Pegasus, Neptune, giant wrestlers, crooked house and the Ogre’s Mouth of Hell. Sculpted inside the head, was a table and bench seating. It’s eyes allowed the light into the crevice. Some say the echoes inside represent the confusion the Prince felt during his time of mourning.

The creations were truly enchanting – kids would definitely love to stroll through these woods of artistic treasures. Some legends claim Michelangelo designed the park, and the work was carried out by his students… but, who knows? Apparently, though, the park was a favorite of popular artists Jean Cocteau and Salvador Dalí.

Getting there

For all you that want to follow our footsteps: Don’t go via public transportation. If you want to get to this park, I strongly suggest renting a car – especially if you’re taking the kids. For more information on this park visit http://www.sacrobosco.com/.


  • Parco dei Mostri – Località Giardino, 01020 Bomarzo VT, Italy

NOTE: This is an updated version of an article originally posted in 2011 on a previous blog I ran called Modern Culture: Italy. The article was part of a series called Adventures in Rome. The blog no longer exists; however, I am pulling and updating some of the articles that I found to be interesting enough to have a life here on Magnusmade.com.

Posted In: Italy, Rome, Travel · Tagged: art, Italy, rome, travel

You’ll Also Love

We Were Never Together
Aperitivo: La Bicicletta
Sipping at the Algonquin

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Next Post >

Restaurant: Locanda della Luna

Magnusmade
Welcome to Magnusmade - the official website & blog for author Lorenzo Petruzziello.

GoodReads

Now Available!

Subscribe

Enter your email address and receive notifications of new posts.

Search

Twitter

My Tweets

Facebook

Facebook

Latest on Instagram

The art connoisseur continues his assessment. He’s definitely plotting something. 🤔
#cat #gatto
And here’s @berniesanders enjoying some light re And here’s @berniesanders enjoying some light reading. 🤩
#berniesanders
Many of you know I experiment with my home bar col Many of you know I experiment with my home bar collection, creating different cocktails, some inspired by my writing. Check out my collection of recipes - some featured in SIP the magazine. 

Link: https://www.magnusmade.com/category/cocktails/

[pictured: We Were Never Together and The Side Eye (both inspired by THE LOVE FOOL). Bird Club Daiquiri and Il Ladro a Riposo (inspired by A MISTAKE INCOMPLETE). More cocktail recipes available at magnusmade.com

#cocktails #cocktail #drink #homebar
Celebrating my country today with a Gibson. 🇺🇸🍸
#gin #gibson #cocktail
The art connoisseur strikes again. Maybe he’s go The art connoisseur strikes again. Maybe he’s going to be a cat burglar. 🤣🤪

#cat #gatto #art
The art connoisseur by day. #cat #gatto #shagart The art connoisseur by day. 

#cat #gatto #shagart

Copyright © 2021 Magnusmade · Design by Julie Molliver · Theme by 17th Avenue