Santa María in Cosmedin

The Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin is a medieval church that is well known for the Mouth of Truth, which is located at its gate. The church was built in the sixth century on the ruins of the Temple of Hercules in the Forum Boarium.

Interesting facts

Mouth of Truth in detail

The church takes its name from the Greek adjective kosmidion (beautiful), thanks to its remarkable decoration. Although the church is now virtually devoid of embellishment, it still retains some beautiful decorative elements such as the floor mosaics, the bishop's throne, the choir and the baldachin.

One of the major treasures to be preserved in the church is the glass shrine that holds the skull of St. Valentine, patron saint of lovers.

The facade was restored to an early medieval appearance. It has a portico with seven arches where tourists rush to reach into the mythical Mouth of Truth.

Next to the porch is a slender Romanesque bell tower that was added to the temple in the twelfth century.

Crypt

Under the altar is a crypt that was built in the eighth century to store the relics that Pope Adrian I had taken from the catacombs.

The crypt is shaped like a small basilica and houses several niches with marble shelves on which pilgrims’ relics are displayed.

A must see

Whether or not you like churches, Santa Maria in Cosmedin should be on your itinerary on your trip to Rome, as the location of the famous The Mouth of Truth.

Location

Piazza della Bocca della Verità, 18.

Hours

Monday through Sunday: 9.30am to 5pm.

Transport

Bus: lines 23, 44, 81, 95, 160, 280, 628, 715, and 716.

Map

Closest attractions

Mouth of Truth (0.01 miles)
Forum Boarium (0.07 miles)
Circus Maximus (0.25 miles)
Palatine Hill (0.31 miles)
Roman Forum (0.36 miles)

Hotels nearby

Fortyseven
(0.17 miles)
Kolbe Hotel Rome
(0.17 miles)
Palazzo Al Velabro
(0.11 miles)
Bocca Della Verità Rooms And Suites
(0.04 miles)