The Roman marble disc was created during the 4th Century BC and represents a colossal face, portrayed with eyes, nose and nostrils opened, probably a river god.
The most accepted theory about the “Mouth” is that it was used as manhole cover in order to canalize large amounts of water into the Cloaca Maxima, the first Roman sewage system built by the king Tarquinius Superbus in the 7th century BC. The nickname comes from a medieval tradition which tells us that the face closes its mouth if a liar sticks his hand in it.
According to the legend the emperor Julian the Apostate cheated a woman and the crowd forced him to prove his honesty to the Mouth. The devil spoke to the emperor from the sculpture and helped him, who promised to restore the Paganism in Rome.
The other stories talk about an husband, who having doubts about his wife’s loyalty, asked her to put the hand in the Mouth. She managed to save her life thanks to a stratagem planned by the lover .
The sculpture was placed in the Church in the 17th century and became more popular in 1953 thanks to the film Roman Holiday. In the “Mouth of Truth” scene the American journalist Joe tricks the frightened princess Ann into believing his hand was bitten off.
Gregory Peck told that the scene was improvised by him and so the Audrey Hepburn’s terrified reaction is real.
Are you ready to put your hand in the Mouth of Truth?
Opening time
Open 7 days a week
Wintertime (nov-mar): 9.30-17.00
Summertime (oct-apr): 9.30-18.00
Tickets
Free admission
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| Mouth of Truth |
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| Roman Holiday |
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| S.Maria in Cosmedin |
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