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Etruscan Pyramid of Bomarzo

The Etruscan Pyramid of Bomarzo: a Wonder in the Heart of the Sacred Forest

The small town of Bomarzo in the province of Viterbo is famous for its Parco dei Mostri, a magical and enigmatic place that attracts visitors from every corner of the world. But among the foliage of the thick vegetation that surrounds the park hides an even more mysterious and fascinating secret: the Etruscan Pyramid of Bomarzo, also known as the 'Preacher's Stone'.
Table of contents:
  1. The glorious Etruscan civilisation
  2. Discovery in 1911
  3. Hero Salvatore Fosci
  4. A walk in nature

Clear traces of the Etruscan civilisation

Nestled in the woods of Tuscia, in the Tacchiolo area, the Etruscan Pyramid can be reached from Park of the Monsters of Bomarzo. It is located in a context rich in artefacts from the Etruscan and prehistoric eraenveloped by what is called the Sacred Forest. Walking along paths that wind between cave dwellings, megalithic rocks, altars and places of worshipone is confronted with an authentic oasis of history and mystery. Even a ancient early Christian cemetery lurks nearby, adding further layers of fascination and enigma to this region steeped in thousands of years of history.

The Discovery of the Etruscan Pyramid

Discovered back in 1911, this extraordinary pyramid has long remained in the shadows, escaping the attention of official archaeology. It is a  imposing structure, approximately 10 metres highwith its steps that ifmends ascending towards the sky. Its truncated pyramid shape is reminiscent of the religious altars of the Maya culture. But its dating, like its true nature, remains shrouded in mystery. Its original function is still the subject of speculation and theories that fascinate fans of history, and archaeology. But the thrill of seeing it emerge from the shadows of the forest is indescribable, as if time stood still before this tangible testimony to a past yet to be revealed.

The Past Comes to Light

From the day of its discovery, for a long time the Etruscan Pyramid remained in a state of total abandonment. Only since 2008 has the pyramid tbrought to light thanks to the dedication of a local resident, Salvatore Fosci. For years, Salvatore has dedicated himself to cleaning the vegetation and maintaining the paths leading to this mysterious place, while also activating a ambitious promotional work to make the Pyramid of Bomarzo to the whole world. Thanks to him, it is now possible to visit this masterpiece carved in peperino stone that has spanned more than two millennia of history to make us feel part of the civilisations that preceded us.

Route through nature

The route to the Etruscan Pyramid is anything but easy, but it is full of charm and adventure. These are the site coordinates: 42° 30′ 17″ North and 12° 15′ 60″ East. The main entrance to La tagliata delle Rocchette is the starting point, and from there, through woods and paths, you walk for about 400 metres until you reach the double uphill signpost in the trees. It is here that the Etruscan Pyramid of Bomarzo reveals its grandeurwith its two flights of stairs leading up to the high altar, where the Etruscan priest perhaps once offered rites to the gods of the underworld.

in Territorio Posted by elena@enfasia.it
Chinese imperial boat

The Chinese Imperial Boat Hidden in the Woods of the Cimini Mountains

Amidst the lush woods of Tuscia Viterbese, there is a place that has the power to transport the visitor to another space-time dimension. This is the Tenuta Sant'Egidio where the remains of the surprising Church of the Holy Trinity guard a precious Chinese Imperial marble boat.
Table of contents:
  1. Where the boat is located
  2. Love for China
  3. Extraordinary meeting
  4. The promise of conservation
  5. Brotherhood and respect between peoples

The Sant'Egidio Estate

La Tenuta Sant'Egidio is a private area of about 130 hectares on the north-eastern slope of Monte Cimino, which has become, by the owners' will, a educational forest. Walking through the woods of the estate you can admire monumental oak and beech trees, caves, springs and rocky outcrops. And then suddenly the remains of the walls of a church, the Holy Trinity, dating back to the 13th century and for centuries a hermitage of monks. Together with what remains of the ancient church a striking and alienating Chinese imperial boat in white marble. But how did this boat get here and why?

The Blessings and Love for China

The Chinese Imperial Boat came to Italy thanks to theItalian entrepreneur-philanthropist Eugenio Benedettifather of Azzurra Benedetti, the current president of the GEA Association from which the idea of the educational forest originated. Eugenio, nicknamed 'the new Marco Polo', was in love with the People's Republic of China and for many years travelled all over the country, contributing to its economic and cultural renaissance. One of his most famous operations was the opening of 34 marble quarries in the Hebei and Honan mountains, which are still operating today, from which he extracted one of the most beautiful marbles in the world. In 1965 Eugenio also had the opportunity to meet theLast Chinese Emperor Pu Yikey character in unravelling the mystery of the Viterbo imperial boat.

An extraordinary meeting

By now demoted to a simple citizen and appointed head of the Gardens of the Imperial Summer Palace in Beijing, Pu Yi commissioned Eugenio to save and restore the boat built in 1865 to mark the 60th birthday of Empress Ci Xi, his mother. The boat is still moored on the Kunming River at Peking Palace. In ancient China, boats were true masterpieces of craftsmanshipused to transport precious goods along the rivers and canals of the vast Chinese empire. The imperial boat was a symbol of respect, power and elegance.

Restoration and Conservation

The conservation operation succeeded and was greatly appreciated by the Chinese government; Eugenio received a gift for his 75th birthday as a thank you for his work, 100 tonnes of white marble composed of 3,000 hand-carved and chiselled pieces. The material was used for build a 1:3 scale replica of Empress Ci Xi's boatas a sign of love from China to Italy. The imperial boat was then placed inside the estate, where Eugenio expressed his wish to be buried when his time comes.

Symbol of brotherhood between peoples

Thus the mystery is explained. The Chinese imperial boat on the Tenuta Sant'Egidio is more than just a monument; it is a homage to brotherhood between different culturesa symbol of peace and cooperation between peoples. But, above all, it is a representation of the love of a son for his mother and of the interconnection between seemingly distant cultures. The marble imperial boat in the heart of Tuscia Viterbese is a precious testimony to historyan indelible memory of great modern characters. A historical memory to be preserved and handed down to future generations.

in Territorio, Uncategorized Posted by elena@enfasia.it
Sasseto Forest

Bosco del Sasseto: Discovering the Enchanted Kingdom

A monumental park at the foot of the Torre Alfina Castle where nature and art come together in timeless beauty. A Natural Monument of the Lazio Region since 2006, the Bosco del Sasseto welcomes you in an evocative atmosphere of colours, smells and unforgettable sensations.

Just below the Torre Alfina Castle, an anonymous hidden lane leads into the Sasseto Monumental Forest, a unique jewel of forest diversity throughout the Lazio region. The gardens and forest paths were designed at the end of the 19th century by the French architects Henry and Achille Duchêne, creating the historical garden of the Torre Alfina Castle.

Table of contents:
  1. The origins and formation of the forest
  2. Enchanted trails and biodiversity
  3. Fairies and fantasy settings
  4. Guided tours of the Sasseto Woods

History and Formation of the Sasseto Forest

The name Bosco del Sasseto is due to the many lava boulders that originated, around 820,000 years ago, from a volcanic cliff of the oldest volcano in Latiumwhose eruptive mouth was located in the area of the present-day castle. Thanks to the quality of the soil, trees grew on this slope and among the boulders that later became centuries old, creating a plant and animal biodiversity which in 2006 led to the forest becoming Natural Monument of the Region of Lazio. The Bosco del Sasseto is still today a unicum with the historic garden of the Torre Alfina Castle, strongly desired by the Marquis Edward Cahen d'Anvers and chosen by him as his burial place.

Emotional Journey through Enchanted Paths

And then you enter the Bosco del Sasseto and are overwhelmed. Here, nature seems to dance to the rhythm of its own secret melody, creating theatmosphere of an enchanted and wonderful world. Centuries-old trees covered in ivy, the damp smell of fresh, soft moss, the scent of elder blossom. And again large hollow trunks, twisted branches that barely let the sun's rays filter through and the ancient lava flow boulders that seem to bow to our passing. A place that attracts, draws attention and strikes all our senses.

The Temple of the Fairies: a Mausoleum in the Heart of the Forest

As you move ecstatically to the rhythm of birdsong, you are surprised again by the sight of a stone monument, imposing amidst unspoilt nature. It is the gothic mausoleum of Marquis Edward Cahen, but everyone calls him the Fairy Temple. It stands majestically embraced by the green of the forest, creating a fascinating contrast between human art and natural beauty. You look around and feel part of a fantasy film. You can't help but imagine an elf or a fluttering fairy beckoning you to follow them, only to disappear soon after.

How to Visit the Sasseto Woods

To have a magical experience in the Bosco del Sasseto, it is necessary to plan ahead. The forest is can only be visited on certain dates and with an accompanying person. Experienced storytellers will tiptoe you through the history and the biodiversity of the forestrevealing secrets that only this enchanted place can offer. It is advisable to contact the Municipality of Acquapendente for up-to-date information on openings and reservations. When you visit the Bosco del Sasseto, you will feel as if you have crossed the threshold of a enchanted kingdomready to reveal its secrets to anyone willing to explore them.

in Territorio Posted by elena@enfasia.it
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