Bomarzo Monster Park: Tickets, Hours and What to See

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Bomarzo Monster Park, officially known as the Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo, is a 16th-century Mannerist garden filled with monumental stone creatures, mythological figures and unusual buildings. It is also called the Park of the Monsters, the Gardens of Bomarzo and the Parco dei Mostri di Bomarzo.

It makes an unusual cultural visit from Rome, combining art and nature along a route that takes about 2 hours to explore. This guide covers official ticket prices, opening hours, how to get there, the park map, accessibility, facilities and the monuments you should not miss.

Bomarzo Monster Park Tickets

Bomarzo park tickets are sold at the park entrance and through the official online ticket office (check last prices on this page).

A few additional conditions are worth knowing:

• Visitors with disabilities: The park offers free admission to visitors with a certified 100% disability who cannot visit independently. Bring supporting documentation.
• Roma Pass: Admission to Bomarzo Monster Park is not included in the Roma Pass.

Do You Need to Book in Advance?

Advance booking is not required, and you can pay by cash or card at the entrance.

However, I recommend booking online before you arrive to simplify your planning. The flexible ticket includes free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve now, pay later option.

Visiting Bomarzo Monster Park: Practical Information

Where Is Bomarzo Monster Park?

The park is located at Località Giardino, 01020 Bomarzo, just outside the village of Bomarzo. 

It is approximately 65 miles (105 km) north of Rome and 13 miles (21 km) from Viterbo.

How to Get There?

• By car: Take the Attigliano exit from the A1 highway and follow the signs toward Bomarzo and the Sacro Bosco. The gardens of Bomarzo is approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) from the exit.
• By public transportation: There is no direct train to the park. You will need to combine a train from Rome with a prearranged taxi or local bus.
• By organized tour: This is the simplest option from Rome if you do not want to rent a car or manage the public transportation connections.

My complete Bomarzo day-trip guide from Rome explains the train, taxi, bus and tour options in detail.

Opening Hours and Last Admission

Bomarzo Monster Park opens at 9:00 AM every day, but its closing time varies by season.

• Annual closure: The park of the monsters is closed on December 25.
• Early March visits: Check the official opening hours, as the published schedule links the longer closing time to the start of daylight saving time.

How Long to Allow and When to Visit?

• Time needed: Allow about 2 hours to follow the route and see the principal sculptures. Add extra time for photographs, frequent stops or a meal.
• Best time of year: Spring and early fall generally provide the most comfortable conditions for an outdoor visit.
• Best time of day: In summer, arrive close to 9:00 am to avoid the hottest part of the day. Whatever the season, arrive at least two hours before closing if you want to complete the visit without rushing.

Park Map, Accessibility and Facilities

• Map and terrain: The official Bomarzo Monster Park map (link here) identifies 40 points of interest and suggests a route through the park. Expect uneven wooded paths, slopes and stairs, and wear shoes with good grip.
• Accessibility: Only 10% of the monumental area is accessible to visitors with walking difficulties. A child carrier may be more practical than a stroller, children need supervision, and seniors should be comfortable managing the route.
• Facilities and rules: Free parking, restrooms, a bar, a restaurant, a picnic area and a playground are available near the entrance. Food is restricted to the picnic area, climbing on the sculptures is prohibited, and pets are not admitted except for guide dogs. Personal photography is allowed, but professional equipment requires prior authorization.

What to See at Bomarzo Monster Park?

The park contains more than stone monsters. Along the route, you will encounter giant animals, mythological figures, fountains, inscriptions and deliberately distorted buildings. After visiting Bomarzo Monster Park twice, the Orcus and the Leaning House remain my two personal highlights. 

Orcus, or the Mouth of Hell

The Orcus is the park’s most recognizable sculpture. Its enormous open mouth leads into a hollow chamber containing a stone table and benches.

Above the entrance is the inscription “Ogni pensiero vola,” usually translated as “Every thought flies.” The chamber’s unusual acoustics make voices carry, adding to the strange effect of the sculpture.

Orcus is also known as the Mouth of Hell. It is separate from Rome’s Mouth of Truth.

The Leaning House

The Leaning House, or Casa Pendente, was intentionally constructed at an angle of approximately 23 degrees. Its position is part of the original design rather than the result of subsidence.

Inside, the sloping floor and walls distort your sense of balance and make it difficult to judge what is level. Unlike the giant creatures elsewhere in the gardens of Bomarzo, the house creates its effect entirely through architecture.

Other Sculptures and Monuments Not to Miss

• Hercules and Cacus: One of the park’s largest and most dramatic groups, showing one giant overpowering another.
• The Turtle and the Orca: A giant turtle carrying a winged figure faces a sea creature emerging from the ground.
• Hannibal’s Elephant: A war elephant with a tower on its back captures a Roman soldier in its trunk.
• The Dragon: This large sculpture depicts a dragon fighting several attacking animals.
• Pegasus Fountain: The mythological winged horse appears to rise from a stone basin surrounded by woodland.
• The Temple: This small classical building provides a deliberate contrast with the distorted creatures and architecture elsewhere in the park.

Also look for the entrance sphinxes, Proteus, Cerberus, Echidna, Neptune and the Sleeping Woman.

A Short History of Bomarzo Monster Park

The Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo was created in the mid-16th century for Pier Francesco Orsini, known as Vicino Orsini, the lord of Bomarzo. The first part of the park was completed around 1552, and its design is traditionally attributed to architect Pirro Ligorio.

Many of the figures were carved directly from the local peperino, a volcanic stone found throughout the area. Unlike the symmetrical gardens typical of the Renaissance, the Sacro Bosco deliberately used exaggerated proportions, strange inscriptions and visual distortion. The small Temple was dedicated to Orsini’s wife, Giulia Farnese, but the overall meaning of the park remains open to interpretation.

After Orsini’s death, the garden was neglected for centuries. It attracted renewed attention from artists, including Salvador Dalí, during the 20th century. Beginning around 1960, the Bettini family restored the site and opened it to visitors.

Is Bomarzo Monster Park Worth Visiting?

Yes, Bomarzo Monster Park is worth visiting if you enjoy unusual art, historic gardens and places that feel different from conventional attractions. Its main appeal comes from the sense of discovery rather than any single monument.

The Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo works particularly well for couples and families with children. However, despite its name, it is a historic garden rather than a theme park. Do not expect rides, interactive attractions or detailed explanations beside every monument.

It may be less suitable if you need a fully accessible route, prefer formal gardens or want an attraction that fills an entire day. Bomarzo offers a compact and distinctive experience, but its intentionally irregular design will not appeal to every visitor.