The monsters of Bomarzo

Looking for the hidden alchemical path.

Yesterday I went visiting the "Park of the Monsters" in Bomarzo, near Viterbo. The park was built in the 16th century by architect Pirro Ligorio, on commission by the lord of Bomarzo, Vicino Orsini. It is one of the first parks of its kind and has inspired many later monumental gardens, like the "Giardino dei Tarocchi" by Niki de Saint Phalle.

The park is said to be a mockery of classical, symmetrical gardens of the time. It is located at the bottom of the valley near Bomarzo, overseen by the town and the estate of the former noble house. A dense wood takes up most part of the garden, intertwined with monumental sculptures and buildings, each one of them with mysterious inscriptions and symbolical meanings.

The garden was most likely built to impress and astonish visitors, but after the death of Orsini's beloved wife, he also dedicated the park to the memory of the woman and of their eternal love. In fact, many of the sculptures added after the death of Orsini's wife, Giulia Farnese, suggest some kind of infernal voyage into the bowels of hell inspired by the classical tale of Polifilo's voyage to save his beloved Polia. Other elements on the other hand were realized before Giulia's death and are also permeated by classical symbolism. Some also suggest that the park has a hidden meaning or is some kind of path of alchemical knowledge that should lead to the philosopher's stone.

Well, who knows? Nonetheless, the park is an astonishing sight and is quite fun to visit. A good occasion to shoot panorama photos and stitch them together with Microsoft ICE!

The Proteo-Glauco head. A demigod, son of Oceano and Teti who could shift shape at will, symbol of change and transformation.

Hercules killing Caco.

The "Casa Storta" (Stunted House), which was built when lord Orsini was captured in battle. Stands for the falling down of the once proud noble house Orsini.

Pluto and some mythological monsters.
This picture was stitched using the "Perspective" option: this deforms the image, but realistically shows how the place looks from a single point of view.

The abandoned naked woman.

A war elephant crushing a warrior.

A gigantic ogre head rising off the ground. Inside there's a dark chamber with a table.

A 180° panorama of the garden on the top of the park and the little temple. The couple who acquired the park and restaurated it in the 19th century are buried here.
Francesco is taking a picture in the lower right.

Panorama from the town of Bomarzo.