Bomarzo
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Parco
dei Mostri, with Hercules implacably tearing Cacus in half.
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Bomarzo's
weird Monster Park, also known as The Sacred Wood, is an easy
68kms drive from Rome and only 15kms [10miles] from medieval
Viterbo.
Constructed in 1552 under the command of Prince Orsini and created
by the eye of Vatican architect Pirro Ligorio, the place is
a tranquil, beautiful and bizarre escape from busy Italy, with
trickling streams, waterfalls and shady walks interrupted only
by vast by mythical creatures or structures representing the
union of death and nature. Statues include Cerberus [guardian
of the Underworld]; a full-size elephant killing a Roman legionary
[recalling Hannibal's attack on Rome]; a dragon fighting a dog,
lion and wolf; Pegasus the flying horse; Neptune talking to
a dolphin, a leaning house and much more.