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Some may say that Rome is a superstitious city, or maybe it is just all the tourists that visit.

mouth of truth in Rome ItalyLa Bocca della Verita (Mouth of Truth)

Standing outside the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, La Bocca della Verita (known also as the Mouth of Truth) is an ancient polygraph test. It is a carving on the wall, in the form of a human face. Tourists line up to place there hand in its mouth and make a statement. If your words are true, you will be able to pull your hand out with no ill effect. Should you tell a lie - the mouth will snap shut and bite your hand off. A lack of amputated fingers below indicates there are a lot of honest people around.

 

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