Bomarzo - Garden of Monsters (Bosco dei Mostri)
also known as the Sacred Grove or Bosco Sacro
Duke Vicino Orsini began this garden in 1552. It consists of many immense mythological creatures sculpted out of the bedrock and boulders populating this area of the Tiber valley.
Interestingly, the garden was designed by architect Pirro Ligorio who completed the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome after the death of Michelangelo and who built Villa d'Este in Tivoli, a fabulous villa and water garden.
The Orsini Palace overlooking il Bosco dei Mostri
The marine monster Proteus and Glaucus
Hercules slays Cacus - battle between the giants or the battle between good and evil.
Twisted House - built to amuse on an inclined rock
Casa Storta
Neptune
The winged Dragon who fights other beasts.
Hannibal's war elephant
crushing a Roman legionnaire
Echidna and 2 guardian lions
The Ogre (Orc) who terrorizes on dark stormy nights.
The extraordinary echoes, here, remind us of the Ear of Dionysius in Siracusa.
Could prisoners have been held here?
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