Bocca della Verità
Monument Ancient marble mask in Roman church portico
A marble mask housed in the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome, famous for its medieval legend that a dishonest hand might be bitten off. Tourists queue for the photograph and to visit the surrounding Trastevere streets and church.
The Bocca della Verità, or Mouth of Truth, is a large circular ancient marble mask located under the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in Rome. It is famous for the medieval legend that it will bite the hand of a liar if one places a hand in its mouth.
The carved face, thought to be a Roman sculptural relief dating from the 1st century, depicts a bearded male face with holes that suggest a drain or decorative motif. The mask is displayed in the church portico and is a small, high-traffic attraction often visited as part of walking tours of Rome’s historic centre.
Historically used as a decorative element or manhole cover in antiquity, the Bocca della Verità became associated with the lie-detection legend in the Middle Ages and later centuries. Its current setting under the church portico has made it accessible to visitors while preserving the marble in situ.
The mask is located in the Ripa district of Rome, close to the Tiber River and within walking distance of the Forum and other central ancient and medieval sites.
- Visitor tip: The mask is housed under the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin and is a frequent tourist photo spot; short queues are common during midday.
How to Get to Bocca della Verità #
Located in the historic centre near the Tiber’s west bank, the site is a short walk from the Colosseum and accessible via buses and Metro Line B (Colosseo) with a 10-15 minute walk.
Tips for Visiting Bocca della Verità #
- Visit around midday when the sun slants into the portico and the marble mouth casts an inviting shadow.
- Combine the visit with a walk through the Foro Boario and a stop at Santa Maria in Cosmedin to sample the surrounding layers of Rome.
- Be ready for a queue; the Bocca della Verità attracts curious tourists who like to test the stone's ancient reputation.
Best Time to Visit Bocca della Verità #
Best visited in shoulder seasons to avoid the heaviest tourist traffic; the stone is outdoors and viewable year-round.
Weather & Climate near Bocca della Verità #
Bocca della Verità's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (712 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 15 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 97 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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