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Monument · Rome, Lazio
Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth)
The marble mask that, according to legend, bites the hand of anyone who lies. It is in the portico of the medieval church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, near the Circo Massimo.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth)
The Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth) is a large marble disc with the face of a bearded god, its eyes, nose and mouth hollowed out. Scholars think it represents a sea deity and may have served as a sewer cover or fountain ornament in ancient Rome. Since 1632 it has been attached to the wall of the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin.
The medieval legend says the mouth bites the hand of anyone who lies. The scene became famous in film with Roman Holiday (1953), starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, and since then the line for the photo with a hand in the mouth has been constant. The visit is quick: each person has a few seconds for the photo.
The church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin is worth entering. It is a medieval basilica with a simple interior, a polychrome marble floor in the cosmatesque style, a marble choir and pulpit, and a 12th‑century brick Romanesque bell tower that can be seen from afar. The church belongs to the Greek‑Catholic community and celebrates the liturgy in the Byzantine rite.
In the same square, the Piazza della Bocca della Verità, there are two well‑preserved Roman temples: the round one of Hércules Vencedor and the rectangular one of Portuno. The Circo Massimo begins a few meters away.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
20 to 40 minutes, including the line for the photo and the visit to the church.
Best time
Early in the morning or near closing time, when the line is usually shorter. On weekends and in high season (April to October) the wait increases.
How to get there
On foot from the Circo Massimo (5 minutes) or from the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II, walking down the Via del Teatro di Marcello. The nearest metro station is Circo Massimo (line B). Several buses run by the Piazza della Bocca della Verità.
Tip
The photo at the Bocca della Verità usually asks for a donation at the portico entrance. If the line is long, you can see the mask through the bars and enter only the church. Take the opportunity to photograph the temples of Hércules and of Portuno on the other side of the square.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth)
Where is the Boca da Verdade?
On the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, in the Piazza della Bocca della Verità, between the Circo Massimo and the Tiber River.
Does the line for the photo take long?
In high season and on weekends the line can exceed half an hour. Early in the morning it's usually quicker.
Is it worth entering the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin?
Yes. It's a medieval church with a cosmatesque floor, marble furnishings and a 12th-century Romanesque bell tower. The visit takes only a few minutes.
What else can be seen nearby?
The Roman temples of Hércules Vencedor and Portuno are in the same square, and the Circo Massimo and the Aventine are a few minutes' walk away.