The Monsters Grove of Bomarzo (Central Italy): From Rock Fall to Landscape Architecture

Abstract

The Sacred Grove of Bomarzo (Central Italy), usually known as Monsters Grove, is a unique historic garden and comprising allegoric sculpture on huge rock block. These are the result of a quaternary geological and geomorphological activity, developing from the deposition of volcanic ignimbrite from Cimino apparatus topping plio-pleistocene marine clay, and the subsequent erosion from the Tiber river evolution. This last one was very important during the last glacial age. The final result is a continuous and rapid evolution of the flank of the valley, producing a retrogressive phenomena affecting the whole volcanic plateau, presently hanging over the valley. Due to the presence of rigid materials covering plastic formations, the area is mainly characterized by the presence of typical landslides phenomena such as rock falls isolating huge block falling down from the upper part of the valley, forming debris accumulation. The park of Monsters of Bomarzo was realised in 1552 as “Villa of Wonders” to be the only one of it’s kind in the world. It was devised by the architect Pirro Ligorio (he completed the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Rome after the death of Michelangelo and built Villa d’Este in Tivoli) on commission of Prince Pier Francesco Orsini, called Vicino, only to vent the heart broken at the death of is wife Giulia Farnese. Vicino Orsini created a labyrinth of symbols, where “Ladies and Knights” might look for what they most wanted and wonder till they got lost. He populated the “sacred wood” with monsters and tortoises, obelisks, nymphaums and giant statues. After Vicino Orsini’s death nobody cared any longer for this jewel of mannerist art, that only after centuries of oblivion has been recently saved and restored.