Whilst sorting through some old photos this morning I came across this one taken by my late husband ten years ago of myself and my nephew Scott at Bomarzo. A fun choice I felt for my Faces On Friday feature!
The town of Bomarzo is near Viterbo near where I used to live in Italy and its main attraction is a garden, referred to locally as the 'Bosco dei Mostri' or 'Park of Monsters'. It is named such after the larger than life sculptures dotted around the garden.
The garden was created by Pier Francesco Orsini, called Vicino (1528–1588), who was a keen patron of the arts. After the death of his wife, Giulia Farnese, he created the gardens in her memory. The design has been attributed to Pirro Ligorio, a well known architect and antiquarian of the time.
The park of Bomarzo was intended not to please, but to astonish and that it certainly does!
With thanks to the following sites, where you can find out more about this fascinating park.
What an ugly creature, but fun in an odd sort of way! Keep well Diane
ReplyDeletei was happy to see your clsing comment about not meant to please. it certainly is astonishing. also amazing. i am betting it is not a place to take children
ReplyDeleteGreat picture...Park of Monsters indeed!!
ReplyDeleteI've seen this as a black and white picture my dad took. I never knew where it was. So thanks for helping me identify it! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a great shot!! I remember seeing this garden on a travel show, and I loved it. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhoa - that is one interesting piece of art!
ReplyDeleteMy word! Astonished is too mild a word! Love the picture which certainly works for your Friday faces theme! Faces within faces here.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to visit that Renaissance garden and see it's weird statuary
ReplyDeleteEver since I saw the gardens on Monty Don's series about Italian gardens I've wanted to go to Bomarzo. Thank you for sharing the photo of you and your nephew Scott inside the monster's mouth!
ReplyDeleteWonderful capture of this fun monster! Enjoy your weekend!
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