Europe
Italy
Lazio
Province of Viterbo
Bomarzo
Things to do in Bomarzo
Parco dei Mostri

Parco dei Mostri, Bomarzo: Hours, Address, Parco dei Mostri Reviews: 4/5

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Parco dei Mostri

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Parco dei Mostri
4
3,612
#2 of 9 things to do in Bomarzo
Parks • Gardens
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
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Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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4.0
3,613 reviews
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JCVH
Scotland, UK404 contributions
Monstrous Walk
Aug 2020 • Solo
The Parc Dei Mostri, or Park of Monsters, is the main attraction of the mountainside town of Bomarzo’s Sacro Bosco park. It’s somewhere I’d intended to visit on trips to Rome several times but never got around to it for one reason or another.

Now, I’ll start with commenting on the park itself, which boasts a wonderful selection of ‘monster’ statues, some of which based on Greco-Roman mythology, others real life animals that simply seemed outlandish to the sculptors at the time. The park was infamously left to rot over the years, so is shaded by some large trees and greenery, which actually helps it’s rather unusual ambiance with the statues poking out from the overgrowth in a sometimes surprising fashion.

The park is really quite fantastic, unlike anything else I’ve seen in Italy, or anywhere else to be honest. It features a small gift shop and cafe, and while I didn’t have a sit down meal, the snacks I purchased were fairly priced. The price for the park itself also isn’t too steep.

The issue with the park is getting there. DO NOT get the train to Bomarzo. Seriously. You’re looking at a 1 hour + walk up the mountain, on a road with no pavement. This is far from enjoyable in itself, but when coupled with the summer heat can be, frankly, devastating. When going home I got the bus to Viterbo and a train back into Rome from there, which I’d recommend
Written 9 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marek P
Warsaw, Poland8 contributions
A bit overpriced
Aug 2020
The park is rather small, pathway created due to covid is rather short and takes more or less half an hour. The price for each person is 11 EUR. Sculptures are interesting and whole park is impressive due to the time it was created. But still a bit overpriced.
Written 13 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Arttraveller
Province of Rome, Italy15 contributions
Really wonderful!
Jun 2020
The Monster Park of Bomarzo fascinates the mind even before seeing it with one's own eyes. It seems to enter a fantastic world, surrounded by sculptures of not always real proportions. The visit lasts about three hours, if you want to stop calmly along the way. There is a refreshment area, a bar, services and a bookshop. The cost of the ticket is currently € 11.
Written 12 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pam G
Italy50 contributions
STUNNING!
Aug 2019
wow! simply wow! this jewel in the forest is amazing! i enjoy so much that i think i was there for 5 hours!!! the fusion between nature and sculptures is so perfect!
Written 6 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Euroerican
Italy3,390 contributions
The Never Ending Story in real life!
Sep 2019
No one can convince me that the author of the book, "The Neverending Story" didn't get his inspiration from this historical park, commissioned by a prince in the 1500s. The author, in fact, spent a large majority of his life living not far from the park in the region of Lazio. Call it coincidence, or simple deduction - the park is eerily similar to the characters and even the backdrop of the book.

The statues throughout the entire park are quite impressive, and show the dark theme that the prince (and his artists) had in mind at the time of creation. A simply fantastical blast into the past, the park is peaceful, in an absolutely beautiful location, and is enchanting. If I lived near the park I would visit it weekly, not just to escape into a world of mythical creatures, but also to enjoy the calm beauty of the park itself.

I would estimate that given there is no tour guide, nor are there any signs to give any information about each respective statue, it might take someone a good hour and a half or more to walk around the whole park leisurely.

It's not just statues of monsters you will find here either, though. There is a leaning tower (not to be confused with the one in Pisa), which will make you feel sick and dizzy if you stand inside of it too long. The tower gives off an almost sadistic vibe, and is reminiscent of something Tim Burton might have used in "Nightmare before Christmas" or "Beetlejuice."

There is also a lovely chapel house located nearer to the end of the maze that is known as "Monster Park", which is a lovely area to sit for a while - possibly even have a picnic.

The park also offers a very small souvenir shop where one can buy things like a snow globe, or postcards. I got both!

Don't miss out on this highly interesting park while in Lazio. I have to admit, I am not a fan of museums or attractions like this, but this was by far and away the best one I've ever been to. Would highly recommend coming here!
Written 23 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tualie
Varese, Italy1,104 contributions
Cool to visit
Apr 2019
This ghoulish park dates from the XVI century commissioned by the local lord… many oversize mythological figures and larger than life sculptures, the idea was to astonish (contrary of eyesight delighting, typical of the gardens of those days) associated to pain and monstrosity (the lord built this to cope his grief of losing his wife) . The place fell in centuries of negligence and abandonment until Spanish painter Salvador Dali brought back interest. Plenty of carpark as located outside the town of Bomarzo and wear comfy shoes. Absolutely to visit if in the area.
Written 20 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
edieann
Denver, CO896 contributions
Talk about unusual and off the beaten track! What a hoot!
Mar 2020 • Couples
This site has dozens of different names: Bomarzo Sacred Wood, Park of Monsters, Villa of Marvels and more! Despite so many names there is no other place like this!

Designed in 1552, this rambling unusual botanical garden, bird sanctuary and unique mannerist sculpture will keep you entertained for 2 hours at minimum.

An excellent map and key to the park is provided with your €11/per person admission. It can be difficult to follow but once you understand the enormity of the park and realize there are a lot of stairs to traverse, you will have the map mastered. Even on a grey and chilly day in early March it was worth it. Shrubbery and wildflowers were starting to bloom, song birds abound and this was a totally unique adventure!
Written 3 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
HMM
14 contributions
Fun Break Away from Rome with Young Kids
Oct 2019
Took our kids (9,7,4) here after several days in Rome and it was just what we needed. Quiet and cool and not packed with tourists. Kids had fun following the map and discovering all the off-the-wall statues around the place. A few of them you can go into like a crooked house and the mouth of a giant troll. This is low-tech ancient-style amusement for kids. Not cheap, but the cost must go to the maintenance of this 400+ year old garden so I'm okay with that.
Written 4 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bos2NTraveller_13
Gambrills, MD36 contributions
A Hidden Treasure of Italy
Sep 2019
The "Monster Park" of Bomarzo,otherwise known as the Sacred Wood, is truly a hidden delight. It is off the beaten path of the standard tourist sites. It is a wonderful woods filled with gigantic stone sculptures of animals, mythic creatures, deities, and yes, a few monsters. It is a peaceful place to spend an afternoon. Built 500 years ago by Prince Orsini, it continues to be delightful. Well worth the trouble of finding it. Not always easy to navigate, so do walk carefully.
Written 27 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Madalyn H
Huddersfield, UK1,537 contributions
Amazing spectacle
Oct 2019
An amazing set of sculptures in a wooded parkland setting. Be sure to understand the history of this site to get the most out of a visit. A good walk - a little rugged in places
Written 14 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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