Piazza Bocca della Verità is one of Rome‘s most picturesque squares. It is named for the famous Mouth of Truth in the Santa Maria in Cosmedin Church. Apart from this top tourist attraction there also two ancient Roman temples in the square.
Piazza Bocca della Verità Rome
History and description
The Piazza della Bocca della Verità is characterized by a number of buildings from the Republican period, the most impressive one of which is the Tempio della Fortuna Virile, which built around 100 BC and displays both Roman and Greek characteristics.
The Tempio di Vesta was constructed in the times of Emperor Augustus and got its name because of its resemblance to the temple of Vesta in the Roman Forum.
The fountain in front of the two temples is the Fountain of the Tritons. It was built in 1715 by Carlo Bizaccheri who had been told to do so by Pope Clemens XI.
The most famous attraction in this piazza is without doubt the Chiesa di Santa Maria in Cosmedin, however, which was built on top of an already existing structure, in the 11th century. The 12th century bell-tower and the facade were built later.
Most of its fame is derived from the Bocca della Verità, or Mouth of Truth. Legend had it that whoever put their hand inside this mouth and had been telling lies would pay for this bravery by having it bitten off.
Unfortunately at the moment most of the square is taking up by a parking lot.
Address and public transportation
The nearest bus stops are Bocca della Verità (lines 44, 44F, 83, 170, 716, 781, N3, N9, N19) and Cerchi/Bocca della Verità (51, 81, 85, 87, 118, 160, 628, 715, C3).