Be careful not to tell a lie when you put your hand in the Bocca della Verità: the great sculpture on the wall of the church of Saint Mary in Cosmedin may have it for lunch!
Once a manhole cover in Roman ages, thus designed to swallow rainwater falling to the ground, it became the Mouth of Truth in the Middle Ages, as it hid behind it an executioner in charge of punishing liars by chopping of their hand.
It has been used to ask predictions on the future, unveil adultery, reveal secrets, and even as a set for a scene in Roman Holiday. Today the executioner is gone, and the phonies live better.
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