One of the most fascinating monuments in Rome is the Bocca della Verità, this legendary mask has given much to talk about over the centuries, due to its mysterious origin and numerous superstitions que la rodean. ¿Quieres saber cuáles son todas sus curiosidades? ¡Acompáñanos!
La Bocca della Verità, which is located in a Roman church known as Santa Maria in Cosmetin, is the source of many enigmas. This mask is made of marble, so at the time of its creation, it must have been relatively valuable.
However, it is unknown who was its author, what was its original function, why it has remained so well preserved over time and what is its true meaning.
All these questions have sparked the imagination of many people. For those who want to make sense of this ancient monument, one of the most accepted theories is that in its beginnings, the Bocca della Verità was a decorative piece of an ancient statue.
In the same way, the legends that surround the Bocca della Verità are also very varied, but the most widespread is the one that states that, by putting the hand in the mouth of the statue, it can decide whether the person is a liar or not. To give its verdict, the mask bites the hand that is inside it.
This sculpture is quite old, and it is presumed that it was made when the Roman Empire still ruled Europe. This is quite likely, since the sculpture is carved from a specific type of marble, which was widely used among Roman sculptors.
In addition, it is quite tall and considerably wide. In total, it measures 1.75 meters in height, 1.75 in width and 19 centimeters in thickness. Beyond its large size, the main characteristic of the Bocca della Verità is its appearance.
This represents the face of a man, believed to be Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. The shape of the face is well defined, and the eyes, mouth, beard and part of the hair can be clearly seen in it.
Another peculiarity that makes this monument stand out is its circular shape. The face drawn on the marble covers the entire circumference of the statue, and it is supported by a small column.
Today, the Bocca della Verità still looks good, but there is a limit of distance between it and visitors, so that it cannot be accidentally damaged.
Although this is not the largest or most important of the Roman monuments, it is one of the most famous in Rome, so it is considered a tourist spot of great interest.
This popularity has made the Bocca della Verità one of the most photographed attractions in Rome, and it is not unusual for many visitors to line up to enter the venue where it is located.
If you are interested in knowing this enigmatic marble mask, you can go any day of the year, but pay attention to the hours, since it is not open 24 hours a day.
The Bocca della Verità is very close to other places of interest to visit. In the same area is the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Walking a few meters in one direction we find the Temple of Hercules Victorious and the Temple of Portunus. From the Bocca della Verità in another direction we reach the Arch of Janus.
These are short visits but if you want to discover the Trastevere district on foot, this is the occasion. Just cross the Ponte Palatino to enter one of the most fascinating neighborhoods of Rome.
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