Sacro Bosco

About

This monumental complex is situated in a wooded valley bottom beneath the castle of Orsini. The name stems from the immense and breathtakingly beautiful sculptures that are scattered amongst the vegetation of this unique and somewhat puzzling garden. While strolling through the gardens, among the countless sculptures of wild animals and mythical creatures, you will find a dragon attacked by lions, Hannibal’s elephant, a giant, and so much more. The garden was created by Pier Francesco Orsini as a means of coping with the grief from the loss of his wife, and was intended not to please, but to astonish. While the gardens remain private property today, you are still able to experience the magnitude of this incredible work of art, which creates a stark contrast between itself and the traditional manicured look of other nearby gardens.