Visiting Viterbo A Medieval Town And Bomarzo
The two places are definitely worth a visit. Viterbo, a medieval town located in the province of Lazio, offers breathtaking scenery, including the Papal Palace and the beautiful Romanesque architecture. Not to mention, the town has a fascinating history and is rich in cultural heritage.
Also, don’t forget to check out Bomarzo, a small town also located in Lazio, that is home to the famous Park of the Monsters, a garden filled with large and extraordinary sculptures of mythical creatures and other oddities. This park is a must-see for those who appreciate art and creativity.
So if you’re interested in experiencing the history, culture, and artistry of Italy, Viterbo and Bomarzo are destinations you don’t want to miss.
Viterbo is also an excellent place to sample delicious Italian cuisine and to shop for handmade crafts and souvenirs.
♥In conclusion, Viterbo and Bomarzo are two gems of Central Italy that you shouldn’t miss if you want to experience authentic Italian beauty and hospitality.
Viterbo
Our Second day Of Our Wild Trip - We are Visiting Viterbo A Medieval Town And Bomarzo
Viterbo boasts the largest medieval historic center in Europe, featuring churches, cloisters, towers, stone houses, fountains, and medieval quarters that are all preserved within the massive walls and towers that once protected the city.
These walls, built during the 11th and 12th centuries, are still intact and you can enter the walled center of the city through ancient gates.
This place is truly incredible, especially the Medieval Districts where you can see the wall of the city by looking up. Visiting Viterbo feels like taking a trip back in time as the medieval districts have remained practically untouched.
The San Pellegrino district is the most famous district and Via San Pellegrino is its main street, which features a succession of medieval buildings.
Walking The Medieval streets.
As you stroll through the winding cobblestone pathways that make up the medieval streets, you’ll feel yourself being transported back in time to an era of knights and fair maidens. The ancient buildings and architecture are a breathtaking sight to behold, each one telling a unique story and adding to the overall charm and character of the area. You’ll marvel at the intricate details of the buildings, with their ornate carvings and gothic motifs.
Take your time as you wander, letting yourself become fully immersed in the history and culture of this fascinating time period. With every new turn, you can lose yourself in the magic of the medieval streets, culture, and the human experience, and discover the true essence of a place like never before.
Viterbo Cathedral
This historic cathedral, constructed during the 11th and 12th centuries, features stunning Romanesque and Gothic elements that are sure to leave visitors awestruck. The cathedral is adorned with intricate frescoes, intricate stone carvings, and beautiful stained glass windows that take visitors on a journey through time. The interior of the cathedral offers a peaceful and serene space for reflection and worship.
The Viterbo Cathedral is an absolute must-see destination that will leave you captivated by its beauty and grandeur.
Palazzo dei Papi
Palazzo dei Papi is a beautiful and historic building next to the Cathedral .
This remarkable and iconic palace served as the official residence of the popes during the 13th century. The palace is renowned for its impressive architecture and stunning artwork, including frescoes and sculptures crafted by some of the greatest artists of the time. Its vast halls, ornate furnishings, and breathtaking views offer a truly unforgettable experience.
Places To Visit
Cantina Dei Papi
Cantina Dei Papi is an Italian-themed restaurant that offers a wide variety of authentic Italian dishes to suit any taste bud.
Located in the heart of the city, the restaurant exudes an elegant atmosphere that transports diners to the scenic regions of Italy, with its warm and inviting ambiance.
The food was delicious, we enjoy this place very much.
Museum to visit.
Viterbo was almost erased from the earth by heavy allied aerial bombing raids. During World War II Viterbo was occupied by the Wehrmacht after the Armistice of Cassibile and heavily bombed by the Allies, and caused heavy damage to cultural heritage and 1,017 civilian deaths.
Italians from other cities sought refuge here in the former gymnasium, only to be killed during the bombings.
Interesting to visit.
Moving along - We stop in Bomarzo
THE PARK OF THE MONSTERS, or “Parco dei Mostri,” in the Garden of Bomarzo was not meant to be pretty. Commissioned in 1552 by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini, it was an expression of grief designed to shock.
The park is filled with bizarre and fascinating sculptures for which only the accompanying inscriptions provide any explanation. Among the pieces are a war elephant, a monstrous fishhead, a giant tearing another giant in half, and a house built on a tilt to disorient the viewer.
Perhaps the most frightening piece in the garden is an enormous head, mouth opened wide in a scream. The accompanying inscription reads “All reason departs.”
When you visit the park, be sure to enter the giant screaming mouth (known as “the mouth of hell”), inside which, on the tongue, stands a picnic table and enough seating for a small group to have lunch.
Maybe it was a horror garden back then, but it is fascinating. WOW!!
The Monster Park is open every day of the year at the following times:
08.30 a.m.- 19.00 p.m. (from April to August)
08.30 a.m. – to sunset (from September to March)
Admission prices are as follows:
Per Person: €10.00
Children (4 to 13 years): €8.00
10 Facts about Park of the Monsters in Bomarzo
The Sacro Bosco (Sacred Wood), also known as the Parco dei Mostri (Park of the Monsters) by Italians, is a monumental complex in Bomarzo, in the Province of Viterbo, in northern Lazio, Italy.
The Garden of Bomarzo is filled with Grotesque sculptures, mythological animals, massive stone monsters, and small buildings set among the natural vegetation. The Monster Park was never intended to be beautiful or appealing.
This was a display of grief intended to shock the viewer. However, I believe it is not as frightening as it appears. Let’s take a look at some of the incredible facts about this Park.
1* It was an expression of grief designed to shock. The Prince, had just been through a brutal war, had his friend killed, been held for ransom for years, and came home only to have his beloved wife die.
2* The park has fascinating sculptures.The park is filled with bizarre and fascinating sculptures
3* Salvador Dalí visited the park and loved it.
4* The temple built during the Italian Renaissance, the garden layout bore little resemblance to the symmetry of other Renaissance gardens.
Built 20 years after the park was begun, it is not a monster but a temple, built to honor his second wife.
5* The park was created at the end of the Renaissance time and is also called “bosco Sacro” which means holy wood because it is more like wood rather than a renaissance garden. After the death of prince Orsini, the park was abandoned.
6* Bomarzo Park Fantastical creatures have a different meaning. These creatures are references to mythology: the head of the sea monster Proteus-Glaucus, the statue of the God Neptune, the Winged Pegasus, the giant Turtle, and the Elephant. Mythical figures like the statue of Echidna: half woman and half serpent.
7* The Fight between the Giants is certainly among the most beautiful and impressive: the statue represents Hercules who kills Caco, the son of the God Vulcan.
8* The wood of this park is considered “sacred”. If you want to test your ability to remain rational and not give in to imagination, try entering the Leaning House. An amazing experience that will put your balance to the test.
9* The garden is privately owned, but it is open to the public.
10* The park is a tourist attraction site.
The Park of Bomarzo is really unique because differently from other Renaissance Italian villas and gardens, it was intended as an adventurous sequence of apparitions,
A dip in the water, before going to the hotel
Hot Springs of Bagni San Filippo
Tuscany has a lot of hot water springs, known and used for curative purposes since Etruscan and Roman times.
I’m taking you to another hot spring in southern Tuscany that most foreign visitors still don’t know about but we do lol…(and that locals are trying to keep a secret from visitors) the outdoor hot springs at San Filippo!
The springs at San Filippo are gorgeous! The calciferous formations, waterfalls and small pools of hot water surrounded by the woods just outside the small town of Bagni San Filippo will seem to take you to another world. The good thing is that there is an easy path that runs along the river and provides easy access.
But, if you don’t have solid legs, I suggest you don’t go down there. It is slippery and very wet. We did go halfway and the kids went all the way down. The further you got, the hotter it is.
This is our last stop before going to the hotel.
The Hotel Villa Gaia!
It is a newly renovated three-star superior hotel. And the best part? They are just a quick walk away from all the cool attractions in Chianciano.
After our late-night dip in the hot spring and soaking wet, the staff was super friendly, and they even whip up cappuccino for us.
The place was friendly and very clean.
The breakfast was also included in the package.
I definitely have to visit Parco dei Mostri! I absolutely love the vibe. The other areas look like they are straight out of a book!
This place is amazing and all the Medieval towns aound
This looks like the most perfect historical town!
Lovely post. Viterbo sounds so interesting!
I love how towns like this still exist. In the states we just tear everything down :*( Such a lovely town now going on my bucket list
I will add more for your bucket list lol.
You got my attention at Mediaeval Town! That is all I need to hear to add a town onto my itinerary!
Wait for the rest of this trip ( more post coming up ),I have more little towns like that.
This looks really beautiful! I love a place that’s picturesque yet not too busy. I am going to Italy this year and looked it up, but it’s too far from my destination, otherwise I would have visited! Beautiful pictures
Thank you. Italy is beautiful ,so much to see