Bocca della Verità, Ancient marble sculpture at Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Italy
The marble mask measures 1.75 meters in diameter and depicts a bearded face with holes in the eyes, nose, and mouth mounted on the church wall.
Originally created in the first century CE, this marble disc potentially served as a drain cover for the Temple of Hercules Victor in ancient Rome.
The sculpture earned fame through medieval folklore stating it would bite off the hands of liars who dared to place them inside its mouth.
Visitors can access the sculpture between 9:30 AM and 5:50 PM during summer months, with shorter hours during winter, for an entrance fee of 2 euros.
The mask gained international recognition after its appearance in the 1953 film Roman Holiday, where Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck performed the hand-testing ritual.
Location: Roma
Diameter: 1.75 m
Accessibility: Accès limité en fauteuil roulant
Made from material: marble
Address: Piazza della Bocca della Verità, 00186 Roma RM, Italy 00186 Roma
Opening Hours: avril 15-septembre 15 Lundi-Dimanche 09:30-17:50; septembre 16-avril 14 09:30-16:50
Phone: +39066787759
Website: http://dpsusa.com/bocca_verita_history.shtml
GPS coordinates: 41.88826,12.48154
Latest update: November 19, 2025 09:45
Rome preserves more than 2,000 years of architectural history within its city limits, maintaining ancient temples and amphitheaters beside Renaissance churches and Baroque piazzas. The Roman Forum displays ruins from the first century BC through the fourth century AD, including government buildings and temples that formed the administrative heart of the Roman Empire. The Pantheon demonstrates Roman engineering with its concrete dome, while the Colosseum remains the largest ancient amphitheater ever built. The city evolved through subsequent centuries as papal patronage transformed medieval Rome into a showcase of Renaissance and Baroque art and architecture. The Vatican holds significant religious and artistic collections, including the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes and Saint Peter's Basilica, the world's largest church building. Throughout the historic center, public squares like Piazza Navona preserve the footprint of ancient Roman structures while displaying Baroque fountains by Bernini and Borromini. The Trevi Fountain draws thousands of visitors daily to its 18th century facade, and the Spanish Steps connect different elevation levels of the city. Rome's neighborhoods maintain traditional Italian life around these monuments, with restaurants, shops and residences occupying buildings from various historical periods.
These sites in Rome display art, history, and architecture away from main routes. From ancient temples to small churches, the city reveals its historical depth. The locations include underground catacombs, Roman villas, Gothic churches, and industrial buildings with art collections.
Rome combines ancient history with modern photography. The city presents monuments, fountains, squares and viewpoints to photographers. The Colosseum, Castel Sant'Angelo and Roman Forum display Roman architecture. The Vatican Museums and Piazza Navona showcase art. The Villa Borghese Gardens and Trastevere district complement the urban setting.
Cloaca Maxima
126 m
Temple of Hercules Victor
84 m
Temple of Portunus
124 m
Santa Maria in Cosmedin
102 m
Pons Aemilius
219 m
Arch of Janus
167 m
Basilica di Sant'Anastasia al Palatino
210 m
Arcus Argentariorum
183 m
Great Altar of Hercules
81 m
San Giovanni Decollato
186 m
Casa dei Crescenzi
168 m
Santa Maria Egiziaca Church
113 m
Fountain of the Tritons
40 m
Ponte Palatino
201 m
Palazzo della Pantanella a Piazza della Bocca della Verità
73 m
San Vincenzo de Paoli all'Aventino
150 m
Porta Trigemina
218 m
Porta Flumentana
219 m
Santa Maria del Sole Church
84 m
Fontana di Lungotevere Aventino
152 m
Fontana di Sarajevo al Velabro
147 m
Chiesa di S. Bonaventura al Palatino
182 m
Fountain
180 m
Fountain
49 m
Fountain
173 m
Arciconfraternita di San Giovanni Decollato
198 m
Convento di San Bonaventura al Palatino
182 m
Oratorio di S. Giovanni Decollato
144 mReviews
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Nice to have seen it. Afterwards, a tour around the church. There is a man who takes photos of you with your own device.
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