Bocca Della Verità
Explore la bellezza of Italy.
When in Rome, you should visit one of the most curious sculptures in Rome: Bocca della Verità or Mouth of Truth.
La Bocca della Verità is a massive marble mask. And what makes this sculpture so curious is that anyone who inserts their hand into the mouth and utters a lie will immediately lose their hand. At least that’s according to legend.
The marble mask dates back to the Roman Empire. It is located in the portico of the Santa Maria in Cosmedin church, near the ancient Roman ruins. It weighs about 1,300kg or 2,866lbs, with a diameter of about 1.75m.
The Mouth of Truth became more popular from its appearance in the 1953 film, Roman Holiday staring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. It was used as a storytelling device since both characters were not initially truthful with each other. Today, tourists line-up to take a photo and perhaps test the legend.
