Haunted park, 90km from Rome

The Sacro Bosco, a magical and mysterious park in Italy, with an intriguing history, promises to surprise any traveler who dares to set foot inside.

There is enigma, enchantment, and curiousness in every corner of this place which piqued the imagination of artists, including Salvador Dalí.

Created in the 16th Century by Pirro Ligorio, and Simone Moschino, Bomarzo Forest, hid the monster park for centuries, but later it was discovered by historian Giovanni Bettini who uncovered and renovated it making it now one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations outside of Rome.

The young Pirro Ligorio, Prince of Orsini, was a direct descendant of one of the most important and powerful sixteenth-century Italian families. Giulia Farnese, his wife, passed away in 1560 from unspecified circumstances. In the wake of her death, he set about constructing the park.

Inspiration for intellectuals, artists, and researchers

Almost 600 years later, it is regarded as a must-see gem and is frequented by more and more busloads of tourists from Rome every year. Unsurprisingly, throughout history, intellectuals, artists, and researchers have pondered over the hidden meanings within the park and the true meaning in its sculptures, inscriptions, and puzzles.

But regardless of the Prince of Orsini’s true motivations, it is clear that the whole site is a celebration of his love for his departed wife Giula. His heartache turned into a mythical land full of sculptures of mermaids, sea monsters, huge turtles, dragons, masks, and illusionist tricks, all of which play a never-ending game of legendary allusions and mysteries.

Salvador Dalí was so captivated by the place’s mystique, enchantment, and curiosity to the point that he found inspiration for his paintings there. Sacro Bosco, is now one of the most popular tourist destinations where we may awe at the mysticism that appears from every direction.