With only 1.5 days in Rome and this being our first trip in Rome, we felt a little strapped for time and we tried to squeeze all the sights into one full day. I guess the fastest and easiest way to do it was to get on the ‘Hop-on-Hop-off’ tour buses that dropped us off most of the city’s major sights.
After stopping past a souvenir shop and seeing a replica of the ‘Mouth of Truth’, we went in search of the real thing.
The La Bocca della Verità – “the Mouth of Truth” is an image, carved from Pavonazzetto marble, of a man-like face, located in the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome, Italy. This sculpture was supposed to be part of a 1st century ancient Roman fountain, or perhaps a manhole cover, portraying probably Oceanus – one of the pagan Gods.
Legend has it that the most famous characteristic of the Mouth, however, is its role as a lie detector. It was believed that if one told a lie with one’s hand when placed in the mouth of the sculpture, it would be bitten off. We went in search of this famed piece in the Santa Maria Church which is also home to the supposed relic of Saint Valentine.
We arrived at the church to a long queue of students also waiting to put their hands into the Mouth of Truth. In order to prevent over-crowding at the Mouth of Truth, we’re only allowed one photo per person. Instead of a solo pic, I decided to take mine with my fave gal. Do note that there is a small admission fee of Eur 0.50 in order for you to have your hand placed into the La Bocca della Verità.
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