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Santa Maria in Cosmedin (Mouth of Truth)
CultureVisit: ~30 min
A medieval church beside the Tiber, in the old Forum Boarium, originating in the 8th century and today of the Greek Melkite rite. It preserves a seven-storey Romanesque bell tower and a Cosmatesque pavement. In the portico is the Bocca della Verità, a large marble mask, perhaps an ancient drain cover, famous for the legend that it bites the hand of a liar.
Add it to your trip on Wanloria →Things to do at Santa Maria in Cosmedin (Mouth of Truth): 3 missions
- Put your hand in the Mouth of TruthJoin the queue in the portico and place your hand in the mouth of the mask, as tradition dictates. Notice the bearded face and hollow eyes.
- Admire the Romanesque bell tower from the squareStep back to the centre of the square and count the storeys of the medieval bell tower, with its arched windows.
- Walk the Cosmatesque floor insideGo into the nave and look at the pavement of geometric coloured-marble mosaics, typical of Rome's medieval workshops.
Near Santa Maria in Cosmedin (Mouth of Truth)
Giardino degli Aranci345 m awayTiber Island420 m awayBasilica of Santa Sabina (Aventine)433 m awaySanta Cecilia in Trastevere481 m awayAventine Keyhole631 m awayTrajan's Column889 m away
Frequently asked questions
How much time do you need for Santa Maria in Cosmedin (Mouth of Truth)?
Allow about 30 min for the visit.
What is there to do at Santa Maria in Cosmedin (Mouth of Truth)?
Put your hand in the Mouth of Truth, Admire the Romanesque bell tower from the square and Walk the Cosmatesque floor inside.
What is there to see near Santa Maria in Cosmedin (Mouth of Truth)?
Giardino degli Aranci (345 m), Tiber Island (420 m) and Basilica of Santa Sabina (Aventine) (433 m).
Source: Wikipedia