Bomarzo is a small town in the province of Viterbo in Lazio, Italy. It is known for the Sacred Grove, also called the Monster Park or Park of Monsters, a 16th-century garden filled with bizarre and grotesque sculptures depicting mythological and allegorical figures, animals, and monsters. The park was commissioned by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini, a member of a prominent noble family, and was designed by the architect Pirro Ligorio and the sculptor Simone Mosca.
The park is set on a steep hillside and covers an area of about three hectares. It features various structures and sculptures, including a giant turtle, a house of the Orcus, a huge elephant, a fountain of the goddess Venus, and a giant head of the god Neptune, among others. The sculptures are arranged in a seemingly random manner, creating a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere.
The park fell into neglect after the death of Prince Orsini in the late 16th century, and it was rediscovered in the 20th century by the Surrealist artist Salvador Dali, who was fascinated by its strange and haunting beauty. Today, the park is open to the public and attracts visitors from all over the world who come to marvel at its weird and wonderful sculptures.