2Gardens of Bomarzo, Viterbo, Lazio

More commonly known as the Park of Monsters, the gardens were created in the 16th century when the architect carved spooky and grotesque sculptures, as well as mythical creatures, supposedly as a way of dealing with grief after his wife’s death.

One inscription in the park says the sculptures were designed and set out “just to set the heart free”, and the lack of a rational pattern or set route to follow adds to the other-worldly appeal.