Bocca della Verità, Ancient marble sculpture at Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Italy
The Bocca della Verità is a round marble disc with a bearded face on the church wall at Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome. The mask shows openings in the eyes, nose and mouth and measures 1.75 meters across.
The marble disc was made in the first century and may have been used as a drain cover at the Temple of Hercules Victor. It was later moved to the church wall where it has stood since medieval times.
The name comes from a medieval belief that the disc could reveal liars by biting their hands. Visitors today still place their hand inside the mouth opening and pose for photographs while reenacting the old legend.
The mask is set against the left wall of the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, facing Piazza della Bocca della Verità, and is free to view; no ticket is needed. A rope or chain runs in front of the base, so visitors queue and approach the mouth one at a time.
The disc appeared in the 1953 film Roman Holiday, where Gregory Peck placed his hand in the mouth and pretended it was being bitten off. This movie scene brought the relief worldwide attention and has drawn film fans here ever since.
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