Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin
Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Neighborhood: Aventine
Contrary to the chaos of the city, the Aventine is Rome’s oasis. A neighborhood made up of a patchwork of ancient churches, hidden gardens, private homes and embassies, peace and quiet is top priority and the vibe definitely friends and family. Take a walk around the Aventine and you’ll find a treasure hunt of surprises like the clever little keyhole at the Knights of Malta entrance (the only place you’ll find a line) along with Parco Savello (Giardino degli Aranci) next to the ancient Santa Sabina church. Keep your eyes on the 1960s architecture, several modern buildings are built atop Rome’s original 4th century BC wall.
How to get there
- Circo Massimo • 10 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
649 reviews
Excellent
213
Very good
290
Average
126
Poor
15
Terrible
5
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PatMurff
Ballymoney, UK633 contributions
Mar 2022 • Solo
Beautiful and understated church in an historic part of Rome. The church itself has a gentle, mildly neglected feel that adds to the spiritual feel. A church has stood here since the 6th century, with renovation/reconstructions in the 8th and 11th centuries. This was the site of a temple of Hercules and was formerly part of the Forum Boarium or the ancient cattle market.
There is a mosaic by the Cosmati family and in the sacristy is a portion of the mosaic floor from the original St. Peter's. On the left side of the church is a skull traditionally believed to be that of St. Valentine.
Love is definitely in the air here as most of the visitors have little interest in the church and come to see the Bocca Della Veritá or Mouth of Truth famous from the movie Roman Holiday. All the lovers are keen to prove their fidelity by inserting their hand and not having it bitten off! Fun but a shame to miss out on the church.
From the street outside the church tower with it's seven floors is particularly distinctive.
There is a mosaic by the Cosmati family and in the sacristy is a portion of the mosaic floor from the original St. Peter's. On the left side of the church is a skull traditionally believed to be that of St. Valentine.
Love is definitely in the air here as most of the visitors have little interest in the church and come to see the Bocca Della Veritá or Mouth of Truth famous from the movie Roman Holiday. All the lovers are keen to prove their fidelity by inserting their hand and not having it bitten off! Fun but a shame to miss out on the church.
From the street outside the church tower with it's seven floors is particularly distinctive.
Written June 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marina and Co. Ltd
St. Petersburg, Russia80,469 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
The facade of the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin overlooks one of the most photogenic squares of the “Eternal City” - Piazza Bocca della Verità. Our guide Elena said that this temple, founded by Byzantine Greeks who escaped from the iconoclasts, was considered one of the most beautiful in Rome in the Middle Ages. The word “kosmedin” means “magnificently decorated.” Today the church looks almost the same as it did in the 12th century, only the mosaics have not been preserved. But the windows made of pieces of mica, carved marble choirs, a fresco with the tree of life in the apse and the matroneum were preserved - this is the corridor above the front door, from where women were supposed to listen to sermons, because they were not supposed to mix with the rest of the parishioners. The reliquary with the relics of St. Valentine in the left transept is a fake - after all, according to the canonical lives, the patron saint of all lovers was not buried in Rome. The most valuable thing in Santa Maria in Cosmedin is the mosaic “Candlemas”, dating back to the 8th century.
Written November 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,254 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This church attracts lots of tourists but most are here for one thing - the famous Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth). This is by far and away the main attraction here.
We knew we were in the right place when we spotted the line of tourists, all waiting under the church’s portico for the chance to stick their hand inside the dark, cold mouth and test out the superstition that the giant stone face would bite the hand of a liar. Putting all superstitions aside, it’s still an unexpectedly strange and kind of creepy feeling to stick your hand inside the narrow, dark, cold opening. It’s a fun thing for kids to do.
It’s not the only creepy thing here.
Inside, the church has a few macabre highlights.
The skull of St Valentine, the saint who gave us Valentine’s Day, is encased in glass. At least, maybe it’s St Valentine and maybe its not - there is some debate about this. He’s easy to find because a white label with the name ‘Valentine’ written clearly on it has been wrapped around his forehead, making him look like he’s playing a very strange game of Celebrity Heads.
At the very back of the church, stairs lead down to a tiny, underground crypt which was built some time in the 8th century to house the relics (bones) of saints taken from the catacombs. The crypt is easy to miss because it’s not obvious unless you are looking for it.
Apart from the church itself, there are a number of minor ancient sights to see directly across the road, including the Temple of Hercules Victor, the Temple of Portunus, the Fountain of the Tritons and the Arch of Janus.
We knew we were in the right place when we spotted the line of tourists, all waiting under the church’s portico for the chance to stick their hand inside the dark, cold mouth and test out the superstition that the giant stone face would bite the hand of a liar. Putting all superstitions aside, it’s still an unexpectedly strange and kind of creepy feeling to stick your hand inside the narrow, dark, cold opening. It’s a fun thing for kids to do.
It’s not the only creepy thing here.
Inside, the church has a few macabre highlights.
The skull of St Valentine, the saint who gave us Valentine’s Day, is encased in glass. At least, maybe it’s St Valentine and maybe its not - there is some debate about this. He’s easy to find because a white label with the name ‘Valentine’ written clearly on it has been wrapped around his forehead, making him look like he’s playing a very strange game of Celebrity Heads.
At the very back of the church, stairs lead down to a tiny, underground crypt which was built some time in the 8th century to house the relics (bones) of saints taken from the catacombs. The crypt is easy to miss because it’s not obvious unless you are looking for it.
Apart from the church itself, there are a number of minor ancient sights to see directly across the road, including the Temple of Hercules Victor, the Temple of Portunus, the Fountain of the Tritons and the Arch of Janus.
Written May 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AMsays
Thornhill, Canada4,909 contributions
Nov 2022
A church built in 782 by Pope Adrian 1 during the Byzantine Papacy over the remains of various ancient ruins. During the 12th century it was rebuilt to include a striking 35m bell tower whose bell is from 1289. At the rear of the church under the altar is the Crypt of Adrian 1. The interior is bleak with its 3 naves, pillars, and columns of Greek and Roman origin. Note the Cosmatesque mosaic floors, ancient frescoes, precious marble coverings and distinct statues. The name of this special church has Greek origins and even today it is considered a Greek Melkite Catholic Church. The 12th century porch houses the infamous Bocca della Verita (Mouth of Truth), but on this day, there were hundreds waiting to get up close, so we passed and saw the crypt instead.
Written December 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PATO-BETO
San Martin, Argentina19,901 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
The first construction is from the 6th century. The bell tower stands out, which is the tallest of those from the Middle Ages. Its name is due to a Greek adjective that means beautiful, as you enter you can see it. Eighteen columns, ancient frescoes of different colors that adorn its interior and the Cosmatesco style floor, typical of medieval times. You can see a long line of tourists waiting to take the famous photo with the Mouth of Truth that is located in the porch of this church.
Written February 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon L
Olathe, KS252 contributions
Jan 2020
Before our trip, my daughter mentioned she wanted to see this. It's just north of the Circus Maximus if you're visiting the Colosseum and Forum (and you should.) There was a huge line (even during very low tourist season) to get your picture with the Mouth of Truth. which is outside. Inside, the church is beautiful, they've got a shrine to the (alleged) skull St. Valentine. Wait in line if you want to, but go inside the church.
Written April 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China175,759 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
This is a Medieval style church located at Piazza della Bocca della Verita with a history that dates back to the 6th century. The church has been rebuilt several times over the centuries but the building you see today resembles its 12th-century exterior and its 8th-century interior layout and appearance. The mix match of columns lining the central nave are very interesting. The main altar is nice, the crypt interesting and the bell tower you see outside impressive.
However, the most popular thing to see here is the famous Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth), the iconic ancient Roman marble mask sculpture that medieval legend states will bite the hand off of any liar who places their hand in its mouth. It is a fun sculpture to see at Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosemedin and while sightseeing in this area of Rome.
However, the most popular thing to see here is the famous Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth), the iconic ancient Roman marble mask sculpture that medieval legend states will bite the hand off of any liar who places their hand in its mouth. It is a fun sculpture to see at Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosemedin and while sightseeing in this area of Rome.
Written April 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YacchanAmarone
Bangkok, Thailand41,269 contributions
Dec 2023 • Business
This is the church with the "Mouth of Truth" famous for the movie "Roman Holiday". I visited here in the evening, and visitors to the "Mouth of Truth" were lined up all the way to the outside of the church. I waited in line for about 20 minutes to take a photo. After that, I visited the inside of the church, which had a solemn atmosphere. I recommend visiting the inside of the church as well.
Written December 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mary
Cervara di Roma, Italy4 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Curious that at the entrance to the crypt of the hasty staff you remember that it is mandatory to pay an "offering". If asking to have a ticket paid could cause tax complications, couldn't we at least use Italian correctly and demand a "mandatory contribution"? Polite staff would be welcome
Written November 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MFaro
Italy2,723 contributions
Beautiful church in the Aventine area not far from the Tiber Island and the Tiber. It is a place of worship that has lived several centuries and the current style is Romanesque. Particular the twelfth-century bell tower and the interior works.
Automatically translated
Written July 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
¿ Están permitidas las fotografías ?
Sono ammesse fotografie?
Are photographs allowed?
Written November 6, 2020
No cost whatsoever, and the church itself is well worth a visit, don't just go for the Mouth of Truth. You can expect queues for that and I suggest arriving early. The surrounding area has some of Ancient Rome's earliest temples. The Circus Maximus is only a few minutes away as is the Tiber.
Written July 9, 2019
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