Sacro Bosco, Bomarzo: Italy’s Garden of Monsters

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Plan a unique day trip and activity to the lesser known attraction of the Sacro Bosco “Monster Park” in Bomarzo.

One of the most individual places to visit in Italy is the Sacro Bosco (Sacred Grove) sculpture park, often known as the Park or Garden of Monsters. Created in the middle of the 16th century, it was certainly as much of a marvel back then as it is in the present day.

It is defined by its untraditional designs, rock carvings of mythical creatures, and the sheer greatness of their size.

Italy is a classic destination, with its most famous attractions continuing to draw in visitors from all over the world. Upon discovering a lesser-known place such as the Sacred Grove, it’s a refreshing reminder that there are always gems to be discovered.

In this brief guide, find out how to visit and what to see in Sacro Bosco, Bomarzo.

Where Is the Sacro Bosco Park?

The Park of Monsters is settled right beneath the old village of Bomarzo. Bomarzo lies in the province of Viterbo, which belongs to the Lazio region. The Lazio region is also where you’ll find Rome, the capital of Italy.

The town of Bomarzo is located at the base of the rolling hills which make up the Mount Cimino range. It is also near the nature preserve of Cascate di Chia del Fosso Castello.

Viterbo, both the name of a city and the province, is the nearest biggest city to Sacro Bosco. The art park is located just over 90 km (55 miles) north of Rome and 200 km (124 miles) south of Florence.

Looking for more amazing places to visit in the area? Don’t miss out on Civita di Bagnoregio, just 40 minutes north of Sacro Bosco.

Sacro Bosco, Bomarzo History

Although Sacro Bosco is now a well-admired attraction, it went through centuries of neglect after being a definitive marvel of the 16th century. The Monster Park was created by Prince Vicino Orsini and an architect by the name of Pirro Ligorio in 1552.

Sacro Bosco translates to “Sacred Wood,” but it has also been historically known as the Villa of Marvels and the Park of Monsters.

Orsini, The Prince of Bomarzo, set out to create something that, at that time, had never been attempted and was thought to be extremely unusual. Its overall design goes against what any other typical garden from the 16th century in Italy would look like. For that, it’s truly one of the most unique pieces of history from this time period.

Today, some of the words used to describe Sacro Bosco’s art pieces include eccentric, grotesque and just plain weird.

Sacro Bosco pays homage to numerous mythological figures, representations of monsters in addition to classic garden features like fountains and courtyards. Orsini took on the project of designing Sacro Bosco in the direction of artistic symbolism, meaning he followed few rules and created something for the purpose of his own enjoyment.

Art pieces and sculptures found in the Sacred Wood have no correlation to one another and no common segments, which has led certain people who have attempted to study the park to go crazy.

The fact that there is little rhyme or reason to the Villa of Marvels is unquestionably what makes it so magical. For each visitor, the concept and depiction of each sculpture may be different based on individual interpretation.

After the death of Prince Orsini, Sacro Bosco was practically left to rot for a significant period of time. An immense amount of restoration has since been put into the park, allowing travellers from all over the world to now experience it.

FAQs for Visiting Sacro Bosco in Bomarzo

How Much Are Tickets to Enter the Sacro Bosco?

Admission to Sacro Bosco in Bomarzo is €13 for adults and €8 for children from 4 – 13 years old. Young kids under 4 can enter for free in addition to people with disabilities. Parking in the designated lot is free of charge.

Admittedly, the entrance fee is comparatively high compared to other museums, villa, and garden tours in the area. If any downside exists to visiting Sacro Bosco, it’s the price.

Are Dogs Allowed to Sacro Bosco in Bomarzo?

The Sacred Wood is geographically, a nature park. However, dogs are not allowed inside the Sacro Bosco site, even though it’s entirely located outdoors. The park is heavily conserved and maintained, so any possibility of damage caused to the park’s landscape is prohibited.

Guide dogs are the only type of animals allowed into Sacro Bosco in Bomarzo. If you happen to arrive with a dog and don’t want to leave them in the car, Sacro Bosco provides kennels.

Along the side of the front office, there are outdoor kennels that are shaded from the sun and under a large tree. These are free to use if you want to keep your dog in the kennel while you tour the park.

Is Sacro Bosco a Good Activity With Kids?

At first thought of a sculpture park, it may not seem like a good idea to bring kids. However, Sacro Bosco isn’t your typical art park and the best thing about it is that it takes place entirely outside.

To our pleasant surprise, Sacro Bosco was actually a really great activity for the entire family. The art pieces are just as interesting to adults as they are to kids of all ages, which is something that cannot be said if you visit the Vatican Museums.

It is prohibited to climb any of the rock carvings. Still, children will be happy to wander quite freely throughout the park, which is excellent news for parents with kids who have a lot of energy.

Before you enter or after you leave the park, there is a kids’ playground which mimics the stone carvings of Sacro Bosco. If you have animal lovers on your end, the few resident cats will gladly provide entertainment to your kids.

Can You Eat at the Park?

Even though Sacro Bosco is an outdoor attraction, it should not be treated as casually as your average public park. The organization takes great pride in the Bomarzo Garden, and things like eating while touring the park are not allowed.

Visitors are required to treat the park with respect, not only for the rock carvings but also for the environment. Allowing food in the park may endanger the preservation of Sacro Bosco’s ecological habitats.

As an alternative to snacking during a walk in the park, visitors can enjoy the picnic tables set up near the front office. Or, take a seat and have a meal at Sacro Bosco’s very own restaurant.

Sacro Bosco Highlights

1. Vivid Scene of Hercules Fighting Cacus

2. A Crooked House With Slanted Rooms

3. The Sacro Bosco Temple

4. Orcus – A God of the Underworld

5. An Elephant from Hannibal’s Army

6. The Massive Turtle & Mouth of an Orca Whale

7. Venus, the Goddess of Love, Beauty, Desire, Sex & Fertility

8. The Human Born Proteus Who Turned Into a Sea God

9. Neptune, the God of the Waters and Seas

How to Reach Sacro Bosco, Bomarzo

By Car

Sacro Bosco is a phenomenal road trip itinerary item if you plan on touring the Lazio region with a car. One of Italy’s major motorways, the A1, runs up and down the country and is located less than 10 km from Bomarzo.

Whether you’re coming from the north or south, this is the quickest route to reach Sacro Bosco by car. The quick detour allows for travelers to even decide on an impromptu visit to Sacro Bosco, given its convenient location off the highway.

Of course, it’s also possible to follow backcountry roads to Sacro Bosco, which will also happen to be toll-free. For example, the drive from Rome to Sacro Bosco should take just over one hour along the A1 motorway.

Without tolls, the drive only takes 20 minutes longer.

Parking at Sacro Bosco

There is an enormous parking lot located by the ticket office of Sacro Bosco. It’s a gravel lot, entirely free, and it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll find a spot. In addition to this car park, there is a secondary lot up the hill.

This area is also free and primarily used by camper vans (and similar) staying overnight. There are no facilities, but if you are looking to visit Sacro Bosco with a camper van, this is the most ideal spot to park.

Train & Bus

For travelers looking to visit Sacro Bosco by public transportation, you’ll want to head to the Orte Scalo train station. By train, it’s a straight shot to Orte Scalo from the direction of Rome (south) or from Orvieto up north. Whichever way you are coming from, you’ll need to land at Orte Scalo station and not in Attigliano.

Upon arriving in Orte Scalo by train, you must catch a bus to complete the journey to Sacro Bosco. The bus’s direction will be marked as Bomarzo, where Sacro Bosco is located. You can view the exact bus schedules on the operator’s website directly.

For train timetables and tickets, book with Trainline for an easy user experience.

The Best Way to Travel From Rome to Sacro Bosco

To accomplish a day trip to Sacro Bosco in Bomarzo from Rome, there are two options available without driving yourself. The inexpensive choice of the two is a train ride from Roma Termini station to Orte plus a short bus ride.

This combined journey will cost about €10 round trip. Naturally, the use of public transportation will require some walking and the willingness to have a flexible schedule.

For a standard tourist, it’s recommended to book a guided tour to Sacro Bosco that includes transportation from Rome. Tours are particularly best suited for travelers who aren’t in love with self-guided trips.

By paying a little extra, you’ll have the logistics taken care of for you. Tours like this one include private transportation with multiple attractions.

Where to Stay In Bomarzo

Poggio Degli Ulivi (Agritourism) – CHECK PRICES

B&B Il Grifo (Village Home) – CHECK PRICES

La Mansarda del Sacro Bosco (Apartment) – CHECK PRICES

More Destinations Near Rome:

• A Day Trip to Villa d’Este
• Visiting Calcata Vecchia Village
• Gaeta: A Beach Holiday Near Rome
• 20 Hidden Gem Towns in Italy
• Visiting Civita di Bagnoregio
• Cute Small Towns of Tuscany

Sacro Bosco, Bomarzo Travel Resources

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage

✈️ FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com

🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com

🚊 TRAINS & BUSES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio

🛳 FERRIES: Direct Ferries

🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago

☎️ ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo

📸 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator