Sacro Bosco — Attraction in Bomarzo

Denied Entry: A Shocking Case of Discrimination Against a Service Dog in Italy

After years of anticipation and a long journey, we arrived at a highly recommended destination. However, what should have been an exciting visit quickly turned into a distressing experience due to discrimination and ignorance of the law.

At the ticket counter, we were greeted by Ms. Angelica Bettini, who later identified herself as the owner and manager. Her reaction upon seeing my service dog—an assistance animal trained to support individuals with physical, cognitive, or mental disabilities—was shocking. Despite presenting official ID and certification from Assistance Dogs International (ADI), she rudely and aggressively denied us entry, insisting my dog should be placed in a kennel designated for companion animals.

Violation of Italian and International Law

In Italy, service dogs are legally allowed in all public and publicly accessible places, protected by: • Law No. 37/1974 – Grants guide dogs access to public spaces. • Law No. 67/2006 – Protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination. • UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ratified by Italy, Law No. 18/2009) – Ensures accessibility and inclusion.

Service dogs are not pets, and they are legally permitted to accompany their handlers everywhere. My dog has been allowed in museums, hospitals, military bases, and medical facilities—even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Refusing access based on the type of disability is illegal discrimination.

Hostile Treatment and Police Involvement

Despite explaining the law multiple times, Ms. Bettini became increasingly aggressive, falsely claiming that only guide dogs for the blind were allowed. Instead of acknowledging her ignorance, she insulted us and threatened to call the police. Confident in my legal rights, I encouraged her to do so. However, when she contacted local authorities, they refused to send an officer, raising concerns about disability rights enforcement in the area. (The person in the pictu

The police she called never arrived unfortunately, avoiding my legal right to enter. Unfortunately, their lack of response left us vulnerable to this blatant discrimination. Despite my continued attempts to assert my rights, Ms. Bettini shouted that she could do whatever she wanted because she owned the place, disregarding the fact that this is a public establishment, not a private club exempt from Italian law.

A Call for Accountability and Awareness

It is deeply concerning that such an unprofessional and ill-mannered individual is allowed to manage a public attraction. Her behavior was disgraceful. A staff member witnessed the entire ordeal but did nothing, while my companion, distressed by the hostility, urged me to leave.

Given the lack of police intervention and disregard for disability rights, we had no choice but to abandon our visit. I share this account to warn others with service dogs and highlight the urgent need for better law enforcement.

I reserve the right to take legal action against Ms. Bettini for violating both Italian and international laws, and I will ensure this case is widely publicized. No one should endure...

I took my family to Park of the Monsters expecting there to be a larger variety of stone sculptures, but was shocked to see there were really just 5 or 6 memorable ones there. The park itself is not far from the highway, so it's pretty easy to find. There's a large parking lot with plenty of space for all sorts of buses and cars. The cost is absolutely ridiculous at €10 per adult, which includes a map that will more then likely cause more confusion then assistance. After walking through the building where tickets are sold, you'll need to follow a long path to the sacred forest where the park actually is located. There is a bathroom right at the beginning, as well as a playground so it's pretty convenient to start/end your time there. There are signs that say no photos, which considering the cost you pay to get in is borderline insulting. There was one attendant walking around, and he didn't seem to care people were all taking photos. The layout of the park is a bit chaotic, and the map isn't to scale at all, so just be sure to pay attention to the descriptions rather then expecting distances to be remotely appropriate. Overall, my 3 year old liked the 2 large faces (first at the beginning, the second in the middle) as well as the elephant and dragon. The condition of the carvings varies, some are well intact and others are deteriorating badly. I expected a lot more, and my wife and I had regretted stopping. We ended up getting sandwiches at the snack bar, and I felt like I was getting some attitude from both the young ladies working, despite the fact I was speaking Italian (and when I asked how to say something, one of them rolled her eyes). I regret hyping this park up to my coworkers with families as something to do since we're all displaced living in Italy. If you're in the area, and you don't mind the cost, then you may enjoy it. But this is hardly worth driving out of your way, and certainly not worth taking public transportation...

No one can convince me that the author of the book, "The Neverending Story" didn't get his inspiration from this historical park, commissioned by a prince in the 1500s. The author, in fact, spent a large majority of his life living not far from the park in the region of Lazio. Call it coincidence, or simple deduction - the park is eerily similar to the characters and even the backdrop of the book.

The statues throughout the entire park are quite impressive, and show the dark theme that the prince (and his artists) had in mind at the time of creation. A simply fantastical blast into the past, the park is peaceful, in an absolutely beautiful location, and is enchanting. If I lived near the park I would visit it weekly, not just to escape into a world of mythical creatures, but also to enjoy the calm beauty of the park itself.

I would estimate that given there is no tour guide, nor are there any signs to give any information about each respective statue, it might take someone a good hour and a half or more to walk around the whole park leisurely.

It's not just statues of monsters you will find here either, though. There is a leaning tower (not to be confused with the one in Pisa), which will make you feel sick and dizzy if you stand inside of it too long. The tower gives off an almost sadistic vibe, and is reminiscent of something Tim Burton might have used in "Nightmare before Christmas" or "Beetlejuice."

There is also a lovely chapel house located nearer to the end of the maze that is known as "Monster Park", which is a lovely area to sit for a while - possibly even have a picnic.

The park also offers a very small souvenir shop where one can buy things like a snow globe, or postcards. I got both!

Don't miss out on this highly interesting park while in Lazio. I have to admit, I am not a fan of museums or attractions like this, but this was by far and away the best one I've ever been to. Would highly recommend...