Bomarzo

Countryside

Bomarzo 

Monster

Old part of the village

Peaceful spot

Giant monkey

Ahhhh...not sure what I'd call this...

Giant head

It’s always something...today as Nanc and I were leaving for our little excursion (about 10:30), we noticed our car was the only one in the parking lot...very unusual?? I kind of looked around and saw someone had come through and put up tons of small signs...my Italians not good but even I could discern that all cars were suppose to be moved by 7am and remain out of the lot until after 7pm...no idea why, but happy I hadn’t gotten a ticket...something to worry about when we get back.

     Nanc and I had planned a short trip to Bomarzo today, a short drive through the country, maybe a little lunch, snap some photos and then a nice ride home. Bomarzo is a lot like the other small villages that populate this region. They seem to always be dated between the 12th and 16th century, with a few showing evidence of dating back as far as the 2nd or 3rd century BC. We had heard about this particular town from a couple sources and decided to take a look. It’s a short drive from Alviano, maybe 20 - 25 minutes, however it’s located on a road we hadn’t driven before. We kept seeing signs for a Parco (Park) that was in the area...the signs said only Parco del Monstre...our Italian being what it is we thought maybe Park of Monks, we decided to detour and see what the park was all about...we didn’t know if it was public, private, in a natural setting or maybe a building within a park...full steam ahead. The park is laid out in a valley just below the village of Bomarzo, the 1st thing we noticed was how busy it was...lots of cars in a pretty ample parking lot. As we approached, what looked like the entrance, we still had no idea of what was inside...I approached a young Italian guy and asked if he spoke English, he like most Italians, wavered but was willing to try...I basically asked what was this park about...his reply surprised  me, he said “it was a park of monsters”...yes, monsters...come on...we have to see this...how cool, almost halloween and monsters in a park, perfect. We paid our 10euros each and were given a map, history of the area and what was inside.

     The “Parco del Monstre” is a locals term for this place...it is also known as the Sacred Wood of Bomarzo. Back in the mid 16th century a rich estate owner named Vicini Orsini created, on his estate, a labyrinth of symbols, where “Ladies and Knighs” might look for what they wanted and wonder till they got lost. He populated the sacred woods with monsters, obelisks, rymphaums and giant statues. When Orsini died no one took much interest in his old garden until the Bettiny family purchased the property and saved and restored this jewel of, what is known as, Mannerist Art. People come from all over the world now to view, admire and study these pieces. There are 35 pieces total, not including small details that made them fit the area.

I included a number of pieces on facebook...take a look...it was fun. 

     Bomarzo itself was terrific, very medieval and old, old, old looking.

We parked at the bottom of town and climbed the skinny little roads to the top. What a view...and what a maze inside the old part of town...I think for a minute there we were lost. We were at the top as the rain started, so hustled back down to the car...Bomarzo will have to wait until another day...we spent to much time with the monsters.

     Got back to Alviano and remembered about the parking situation...parked in the lot by Sepi Bar and made our way over to the regular parking lot on foot...very odd??? There were horses in the lot...we have absolutely no idea why...what for...what they were doing or did...none, nada, zilch. Went back out around 7:30 and all the horses, trailers and people were gone...another mystery of Alviano. Sometimes I think we are living in “the village of the damned”, and we are the only ones who don’t know whats going on.