Bomarzo

The Park of the Monsters is the main Bomarzo's attraction. It is also referred to as the Sacred Grove or Monsters' Grove. It contains many strange larger-than-life sculptures, sculpted in the large lumps of volcanic rock that littered the area. It was put together by Pier Francesco Orsini in the 1570s. The many monstrous statues have, in their time, entertained princes and princesses and provided inspiration for poets, novelists and painters, including Salvador Dali. There is even an opera called “Bomarzo”.

A big Renaissance palace dominates the old part of the village. It doesn't seem to be open to the public but it's worth having a bit of a walk once you're there.

The area which is not only rich in nature but also history left numerous traces here. At the top of the Monte Casoli hill it is still possible to see cavernous dwellings (l'abitato rupestre di Monte Casoli a Bomarzo) which used to be inhabited since Neolithic time to the Middle Ages. Walking further along the CAI 125 you'd also find remains of the Etruscan and Roman altars cut from the rock and the ruins of an old abbey.

Yet another Etruscan altar in a form of pyramid with steps carved from a top of a rock. Along the path leading to the Piramide you'd also come through a notable passage cut through the rock.