Rome’s Mouth of Truth
The Bocca della Verità is situated on the wall of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin. It sits on the site of the ancient Forum Boarium (the ancient cattle market). The Mouth of Truth is a large stone disc with a human face and an open mouth dating back to around the 1st century CE. The original purpose of the medallion is unknown. Some theories say it was a ceremonial well cover, a fountain decoration and even a manhole cover. The face may represent the forest god Faunus, the sea god Oceanus or even a local river god.
☆ For all of the Roman Holiday posts, click here.
The Wait Time
We visited Rome in October, so it was definitely off season, but the line was quite long. I can’t imagine how long the wait is in July or August. As you wait, you may lose patience, but having the picture at the end is worth it.
The Wait is Worth It
As you near the end of the line, there’s a box where you can choose to donate any amount you like. I appreciated that this wasn’t another way to squeeze money out of tourists. So, of course, I gave something. I’m happy to help them with maintenance of this lovely church.
Once you finally get to the front of the line, a lovely man with a friendly smile can take your picture for you, using your camera(s). It’s up to you. He’s there if you need him. It was a casual way to let people take their time, while still keeping the line moving.
Where Does the Judgement Come From?
Visitors come to stick their hand in the mouth and test whether they are telling the truth. Beware to the unlucky few in the crowd who lie. They may find their hands crushed in the jaws of this ancient god!
“While the origin is up for debate the one unifying legend surrounding the stone carving is that if one were to stick their hand inside the disc’s mouth and tell a lie, the rocky maw would bite the offending hand off. This belief seems to have originated during the Middle Ages when the disc was supposedly used during trials having the accused put their hand in the slot and if found to be untruthful a hidden axeman would lop off the appendage. While this use seems to be apocryphal, the superstition persists to this day.” [read more…]
Saint Mary in Cosmedin
“The Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin was built in the 6th century during the Byzantine Papacy over the remains of the Templum Herculis Pompeiani in the Forum Boarium. Thanks to the rich decorations Hadrian provided for the interior, the church received the adjective cosmedin (from the Greek kosmidion), meaning ornate. Sadly virtually none of this survives to this day, though the church had been restored to its original appearance, with a few additions dating back to the 12th century.” [read more…]
Here are a few details from the basilica:
Roman Holiday
This is the famous scene from Roman Holiday (1953) starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn at the Mouth of Truth.
Related Links
• The true story of the Bocca della Verità