Noble Families, Monsters and Magnificence

This Tour will show you the testimony of the Italian Renaissance and the works of the most important noble families of that period. We will start from “The monsters Parc of Bomarzo”, built by Vicino Orsini. When he came back from a Papal War, he built in the valley below the castle, a beautiful park, with series of bizarre and grotesque sculptures, that was much later called Monster Park, in memory of his wife Giulia Farnese.This mysterious park represents the renaissance of art and architecture. Undoubtedly a great work that arouses mystery, through monstrous and macabre sculptures.

Next stop will be Caprarola to visit the famous “Palazzo Farnese”. It is a fortress of pentagonal structure sketched by Sangallo, masterly transformed into a majestic century house for Alessandro Farnese, nephew of Pope Paul III. From the top of “Palazzo Farnese” you can see the Monte Soratte, the Terminillo, the Sabatini Mountains, valleys and forests. On the center of the Palace, you can admire the magnificent Royal Staircase, a spiral stairway standing on thirty Doric columns and the steps so broad as to be climbed on horseback by Alessandro Farnese.

From this staircase inside the Farnese palace leads to the main floor. The impressive “Hall of the Council of Trent”, a wonderful artwork will attract and fascinate you. The execution of the frescoes of the Palazzo Farnese is the work of skilled painters of the time, the brothers Zuccari, Jacopo Bertoia said Bertoja pupil Parmigianino, Antonio Tempesta native of Florence, Raffaellino from Reggio and many other minor artists. Inside the Palazzo Farnese is also the totally a misura d’uomo, con il Cortile Circolare del Bramante, which still returns to come alive during the summer season, when there are concerts and cultural events. On the back of the Palazzo Farnese finally open the formal gardens, precise and elaborate architecture, as demanded the sixteenth-century taste, which culminate in the secret Casina of Pleasure.