This video shows a short walk along the entrance outside the building housing Rome’s famous tourist spot, the Mouth of Truth.
The Mouth of Truth is a large circular stone carving known for its appearance in the movie “Roman Holiday.” It is famous for the legend that if a liar puts their hand into the carved mouth, it will be bitten off.
The actual Mouth of Truth is located in the portico of the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. It is somewhat hard to spot from the road, so you might pass right by if you don’t know where it is.
Although I visited on a weekday, there was a line of tourists near the entrance as seen in the video. To see the Mouth of Truth up close or take a commemorative photo with your hand inside, you generally need to wait in this line.
While the Mouth of Truth is a bit far from the Colosseum and Roman Forum, it is easily reachable on foot. In my case, I traveled from the Colosseum using a rented electric scooter.
The surrounding area includes the Forum Boarium with its ancient Roman temples, as well as the Circus Maximus, the site of an ancient stadium, making it a great area to stroll around and enjoy the historic streets.
Please note that viewing hours and entry rules for the Mouth of Truth may change. Especially during peak tourist seasons, waiting times can be long, so it is a good idea to check the latest opening hours before visiting and allow plenty of time.
Although it is a short video, I hope it gives you a sense of the local atmosphere, including where the Mouth of Truth is located and where to queue up.
When you visit Rome, be sure to stop by the Mouth of Truth while imagining that famous scene from “Roman Holiday.”
