Bocca della Verità

During your stroll along the Tiber River in Rome, as you pass through the area of the Forum Boarium, you'll likely encounter a long line of people waiting at the entrance of a church. They are all waiting to experience the Bocca della Verità, or the "Mouth of Truth." This ancient marble mask, carved into a stone relief, has captured the imagination of both locals and tourists, giving rise to numerous legends and mysteries over the centuries.

The Bocca della Verità is located in the portico of the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, a medieval church dating back to the 6th century. The mask is carved on a large disc of Carrara marble and depicts a bearded face with expressive features, in the style of the archetypal "elderly athlete" of Greco-Roman art. It seems that this ancient mask was originally part of a Roman fountain or a sewer cover, but over time, it has taken on a more symbolic and mystical significance.

Since the Renaissance, the most famous legend associated with the Bocca della Verità is its ability to reveal the truth or falsehood of those who dare to place their hand in its mouth. According to the legend, if someone tells a lie while their hand is inside the mask's mouth, it will abruptly snap shut, trapping the hand of the liar. This is why many visitors to Rome make the attempt, testing their honesty and bravery in the process.