BOCCA DELLA VERITA
A bit of history

The Mouth of Truth only became really famous when Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck were shooting the film “Roman Holiday” in Rome. Since then, this mouth of truth has been visited by many tourists!

But what is this relief, and what are the legends behind it?
Let’s start with the legend. According to this, anyone who puts their hand in the mouth of the truth and lies will have their hand bitten off. But where does this legend come from?

The mouth was first mentioned in documents in 1485 and was probably used as a place for the trial of the accused. An executioner was hiding behind the mouth. Those found innocent were able to withdraw their hands unharmed. However, those who were convicted had their hands cut off.

But, was the Bocca della Verità always used as a lie detector? Hardly likely.
Two uses can be considered, one of which is much more likely.
1. It came from an altar erected in honor of Hercules, whose remains were found near the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin.
2. The mouth of truth was once an antique “manhole cover”. And that’s the more likely option.

Given the state of its preservation, it is obvious that people walked over it for a long time – the wear and tear testifies to that. He also has five holes: the two eyes, the nostrils and the mouth. This allowed the water to drain into the Cloaca Maxima, which is also located under the church.

What exactly is shown on the relief is not 100% clear due to wear and tear: is it Oceanos? Triton? The god Faunus or Jupiter Ammon? To this day, it is impossible to say.

However, the relief is probably more than 2000 years old and has been hanging in the porch of the church since 1632. The disc has a diameter of 1.75 m, is 19 cm thick and weighs between 1200 and 1300 kilos!