The Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità) in Rome
Tuesday, September 4th, 2007Why George W. Bush never visits here
The Bocca della Verità (Mouth Of Truth) hangs in the portico of the church Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome, Italy. It is a statue of a round face, shaped like a man’s face and made of Pavonazzetto-marble.
It is thought to have been part of an ancient Roman fountain or manhole-cover. The statue, probably of some pagan God, was not placed in Santa Maria in Cosmedin until the 17th century.
Legend has it that, if one sticks one’s hand into the Mouth of Truth while telling a lie, this hand will be bitten off. This legend is a.o. used in the famous film “Roman Holiday”.
Directions from B&B Chaplin Hostel to the Bocca della Verità
From Bed and Breakfast Chaplin Hostel Rome you take metro line B to Circo Massimo. Walk down Via dei Cerchi, with the Circus Maximus on your left, till you come to the Piazza della Bocca della Verità.