Mouth of Truth
Situated in the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin Church, the Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Veritá) is a worldwide-famous enormous marble mask said to bite the hand of those who lied.
The huge legendary sculpture has a diameter of 1.75 meters and is dedicated to the God of the Sea, represented by a male bearded face with holes for the eyes, nose and mouth.
According to legend
A husband who mistrusted his wife took her to the Mouth of Truth to test her faithfulness. The woman reacted by pretending to swoon and her lover caught her in his arms. After this, the woman swore before the Mouth of Truth that she had only been in the arms of her husband and of the man that had just caught her.
This is just one of the many legends that exist regarding the famous sculpture that, with the passing of time, continues to generate enormous anticipation.
Where is the Mouth of Truth?
The sculpture was once located in the Piazza della Bocca della Veritá until 1632. It was then transferred to the outside of one of the walls of the nearby Santa María in Cosmedin, the place where it remains today.
It is very common to see large numbers of people lining up to be photographed with their hand inside the Mouth of Truth.
Schedule
Everyday from 9:30 am to 6 pm. This schedule is subject to changes.
Price
€ 2 (US$ 2.10)
Transport
Metro station: Circo Massimo, line B.
Nearby places
Santa Maria in Cosmedin (10 m) Forum Boarium (117 m) Circus Maximus (393 m) Palatine Hill (493 m) Roman Forum (585 m)
