The Mouth of Truth is a popular and must-see attraction in Rome. Located next to a church, there is no admission fee, but a generous donation to the church is encouraged. This interactive art piece is famous for its mythological association - if you stick your hand in the mouth and tell a lie, legend has it that your hand will be chopped off. However, this is purely a legend and not actually true. Visitors can take the opportunity to test their honesty and then explore the church, which also offers the chance for spiritual cleansing. The Mouth of Truth holds significance for many due to its appearance in the film Roman Holiday, and its unique stone mask, made of marble, is believed to have been brought from an ancient temple nearby. Souvenirs related to the site are also available for purchase. While the attraction can sometimes have a significant line, it is generally worth the wait for the experience. Additionally, the church itself is intriguing, although some visitors found the basement area to be a bit unsettling. Overall, the Mouth of Truth offers a fascinating and memorable experience that draws tourists from around the world.
Address:
Piazza della Bocca della Verità, 18, Roma
Phone:
+39 06 678 7759
11.09.23
Alexander
Must see attraction in Rome. No tickets required, just a generous donation to the church the mouth is next to. I put my hand in and it wasn't chopped off which was a relief as I planned to propose to my girlfriend shortly after (which would have.. Read more » been awkward missing a hand).
26.07.23
Roy
Interactive art at its best! Are you a liar? It's time we find out. The World needs to know. And after you're put to the test, you can tour the church and wash yourself of the sins assuming you didn't pass the test.
10.06.23
Kakha
This place is one of the legendary places in the world for me. Of course, this is largely due to the unforgettable masterpiece of William Wyler. I am about immortal Roman Holiday (1953). This movie is completely brilliant. This unique stone mask is m.. Read more »ade of marble and was probably brought here from the ancient temple of Hercules, a magnificent and very beautiful temple, which is located opposite. I am extremely glad that we finally visited this place. Here you can also buy numerous souvenirs.
01.06.23
Alex
Very interesting attraction in Rome! The myth surrounding it is that if you stick your hand inside the mouth and tell a lie, you will lose your hand! The entrance is free, and there is usually a pretty big line, but it moves at a decent pace. I would.. Read more » say that it’s worth it to check it out.
30.05.23
Tim
Cool and famous sculpture. Only a short wait to get your picture in front of it. The church was cool but a bit creepy. It has the remains of St. Valentine. But, they have a basement and to see it, a man demanded an offering. This did not feel right t.. Read more »o me. But, the basement was cool.
01.05.23
JB
Mouth of truth is a best place to see If you are in Rome this is one of must to visit places. The energy in the crypt under the church is the most powerful. By the way, Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara coeli is one of the oldest in Rome and has the hig.. Read more »hest tower, about 40 meters. It’s funny to stick hands on statue
28.04.23
Napoleon
The legend lives on and still gets the interest of all those who visits Rome. For me, i got inspired to visit this place when i saw the movie of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck-Roman Holiday.
True or not, the legend says if you are not telling the t.. Read more »ruth, your hands will be cut when you put inside the mouth. Well, my hands were not bitten or cut because i am telling you the truth, this place is famous, the church inside is small but solemn. And no fee to try to cut your hands. Go to this popular place and get the experience. 5 stars!
16.12.22
Tripsntricks
When in Rome this spot deairves a visit.
No fee, visit the church as well and Adrian's catacombs. There might be appreciated a donation.
10.11.22
Ghevond
If you are in Rome this is one of must to visit places. The energy in the crypt under the church is the most powerful. By the way, Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara coeli is one of the oldest in Rome and has the highest tower, about 40 meters.
11.10.22
Nicolas
The church was pretty and the hand of truth was fun to stick my hand in the mouth of truth. The reason for the four star rating is do to the line.
23.08.22
Kamil
Visit it only if you are already nearby. There are lots of more interesting places in Rome and this is just a big face, that's all. Not even a beautiful sculpture. People are waiting in line just because it's popular.
04.06.22
Discovering
Great place to visit. It’s free but you were able to leave a donation. We recommend that you do because the staff is very attentive there’s even a lady that stands offering to take pictures of you while you put your hand in the mouth.
Aft.. Read more »erwards you can visit the Basilica or church as well.
26.05.22
Sandra
Nice place. Unfortunately any photo with the mouth of truth does really ruin the whole feeling.
The queue was fast and bearable.
25.05.22
SEVIN
Actually, it was nothing special.
Everyone giggled with their hands in the mouth of truth.
Yeah, it was a little silly…?
But it was a very pleasant experience for me!
However, one thing to note is that you can see the underground if you pay a .. Read more »small amount of coins (The amount doesn’t matter).
So I recommend you to take some change.
Especially if you are interested in historical relics!
I didn't know this information beforehand, so I didn't prepare coins and couldn't go underground.
So I'm going to visit again when I have time later.
If you don't stay in Rome for a long time or live near Rome (or Italy), I recommend that you prepare for some changes and look underground while you're there ?
15.05.22
Kate
Very cool thing to see. There was quite a big line when we got there (around midday) so we just took some photos through the fence rather than wait. You can still see it fine and from quite close, you're just looking at it from an angle rather t.. Read more »han straight on.
15.05.22
SEVIN
Actually, it was nothing special.
Everyone giggled with their hands in the mouth of truth.
Yeah, it was a little silly…?
But it was a very pleasant experience for me!
However, one thing to note is that you can see the underground if you pay a .. Read more »small amount of coins.(The amount doesn’t matter.)
So I recommend you to take some change.
Especially if you are interested in historical relics!
I didn't know this information beforehand, so I didn't prepare coins and couldn't go underground.
So I'm going to visit again when I have time later.
If you don't stay in Rome for a long time or live near Rome (or Italy), I recommend that you prepare for some changes and look underground while you're there ?
05.05.22
Daniele
The best time to visit is early or late when there are few people during the week. Weekends tend to be packed and there's a line from morning till closing time at 5:50 PM.
It is one of the wonderful treats of Rome and like many other things it i.. Read more »s absolutely free. Yay Roma.
If you watch the preview for Roman Holiday the film with Gregory Peck and
12.04.22
Manush
Just because it is a sight present in the Roman Holidays, it shall be visited by tourists. But the church from inside and outside is what really makes the place spectacular. By few historians the statue of the mouth of truth is believed to be an anci.. Read more »ent fountain.
13.03.22
Michelle
The church is beautiful, the underground crypt is interesting and the souvenir shop is one of the better ones around as it has some pretty cool trinkets. The actual Mouth of Truth had a crazy long line for photos. I couldn't bring myself to stan.. Read more »d in a line for a photo. The airport has a fake Mouth of Truth and we took photos by that one just for the joke of it.
24.02.22
Tim
Responded adequately to the request of COVID-19 situations; you sterilize first then put your hands into the mouth!
Taking the distance from other visitors is expected. These are by far decent levels of operations compared with other historical sites.. Read more ». I like that stuff.
17.12.21
Fabio
The mouth of truth is very cool to see. However, because there is a line, you don't spend much time around to appreciate. But is definitely worth a visit.
19.11.21
Tyson
This was a fun quick site. Very pretty church with a lot of history.
There was a anti pope who used this church often.
If you come here be sure to check out the crypt. They have a stone which was taken from a temple of Hercules which is called the al.. Read more »tar of Hercules. It is said to predate the founding of Rome.
02.11.21
Val
A great place to visit if you're a fan of "Roman Holiday" and want to see the scenes from the movie. There's no charge, though you can make a donation.
Nobody got their hand bitten off while we were here......
24.09.21
Alexandra
Free and fabulous! For a small donation you can visit the underground crypt.
Easily accessible and lovely surroundings.
25.08.21
Thomas
Definitely worth a visit to this beautiful statue. To get to Bocca della Verità you first have to pass through a beautiful church. The employees are very friendly and make sure everything runs smoothly. The myth behind the statue is special: P.. Read more »ut the hand in the mouth, tell something and the mouth of truth judges whether you have told the truth. I still have all my 10 fingers!
08.08.21
Margaritis
Fun place to be. All the people have a lot of fun and the guards help you take some lovely photos.
05.08.21
Bogdan
Nice and silent. Not one of the main attractions of the city, but a nice to have if you have some remaining time before departure.
15.06.21
Water
Closed at noon and reopen 2pm. Waited for 10 mins and was the first one to enter in the afternoon. Wonder if Audrey Hepburn touched this very one. Amused in a hot summer day.
08.06.21
Surendra
After hearing the explanation from tour guide, if you put your hand inside the mouth of truth, you will have an unique feeling!
29.04.21
David
Nice tourist attraction. Need to go into the church in order to get to the "mouth". Free of charge but donation will be welcomed. Parking lot nearby but come with no expectations to find one...
15.01.21
dijana
Queueing for hours to put a hand into the mouth? No, thanks. Don't tell lies and pass by.
05.01.21
Blob_of_Jello
These cool lookin Aztec guys came out. Pretty cool.
24.12.20
Daniel
It is what is hidden in the church's portico (the pillar-bearing and roofed vestibule) that attracts visitors - Bocca della Verità.
The marble slab with a face is called the Bocca della Verità ("mouth of truth") and accor.. Read more »ding to legend, one should put one's hand in the mouth.
He who commits perjury gets his hand cut off. In a scene in the movie Roman Holiday (1953), Joe (Gregory Peck) pretends to have his hand cut off to the horror of Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn).
The queue to put the hand in the Mouth of Truth was long ...
29.10.20
Ghiaccio
It revealed some cool guys in a wall
22.09.20
Jacob
Idk,I tried to open it but it didnt work.I wanted to see the pillar men.I would give no stars
10.09.20
Aayush
Another free and fun activity you can do in Rome is visiting the Mouth of Truth and testing your integrity in its wake. The Mouth of Truth is essentially an enormous marble sculpture of Oceanus, the God of the Sea. Legend has it that the mask bites t.. Read more »he hand of those who lied (a ancient lie-detector if you will). No one knows exactly when or why this disk was created, or who it is supposed to even represent. Some believed it was used an ornamental well cover while others believed that it was a piece of fountain decoration!
The sculpture was originally located in the Piazza della Bocca della Verita. It was then (1632) shifted to the Santa Maria in Cosmedin, where it still stands today
05.09.20
Robert
I recommend this place, but make sure you get your photo!
Also the queues are quite long, however the surrounding area is quite picturesque.
22.08.20
GAYNOR
Good Fun....be prepared to queue...
18.08.20
Calvin
Didn't open when visited, and didn't mention when it will.
Piece of rock with some names
16.08.20
Josep
Nice place, not too much crowded and easy to find.
20.08.19
Shawnna
The line is so long to wait to get to take a picture like Audrey Hepburn. The coolest part of this church is the crypt or reliquary underneath it. It predates Rome the worker told us and was used as an underground passage way until it was flooded. Be.. Read more »fore you go down it has a sign that says donations appreciated but they made us make a donation before they would even let us go down.