What is the “Mouth of Truth”?

The “Mouth of Truth” is an ancient mask dated back to the first century, placed inside the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin since 1632.  The mask is a male face, perhaps it is the god Jupiter.

Mouth of Truth

The tradition

The stone, mentioned already in the eleventh century in the “Mirabilia Urbis Romae” (one of the first guides for pilgrims) has been called with this name since the fiteenth century.

The tradition of the time passed on the belief that the mouth could harm the hands of those who do not say the truth.

Mouth of Truth

How to get from Bags Free

Metro B or B1 from Termini Station to the “Circo Massimo” Station.
Walk for about 10 minutes.

Mouth of Truth