Bocca della Verità
The famous Mouth of Truth, hedged in the portico of the medieval Church
of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, is visited by thousands of tourists a day.
It seems that one of the most beloved tourist attractions is nothing
more than a manhole cover, in particular the cover of the Cloaca Maxima,
one of the most important sewage systems of Rome, some stretches of
which are still used today!
It was made even more famous by the film Roman Holiday starring Gregory
Peck and Audrey Hepburn.
The legend tells that if one told a lie with one's hand in the mouth of
the sculpture, it would be bitten off.
Just remember the film scene in which Gregory Peck pretends to have his
hand cut off. Rumour has it that the actress believed in the legend and
therefore that her scared expression in the movie was real!
HOW TO GET THERE: B line underground, Circo Massimo station; by walking
from Piazza Venezia following Via del Teatro Marcello
VISITING HOURS: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Rome Transportation |
Lonely Planet |
Frommers Rome |
Michelin Travel and Tourism |
Alitalia |
Trenitalia
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