Skull of Saint Valentine, Rome

The Mouth of Truth sits at the entrance of the Basilica Di Santa Maria in Cosmedin, home to the skull of St. Valentine. In actual fact it is uncertain if this is the skull of St. Valentine, with at least 10 other places around the world claiming they have the saint’s relics.

The church itself is very old, standing on the site of an ancient Roman temple that dates back to the second century B.C. Most of what is standing today dates back to the 8th and 12th centuries. It is simple and beautiful, with intricate mosaic floors and stunning altars.

The church also contains Pope Hadrian’s Crypt. Constructed in the 8th century to store the relics taken from the catacombs of Pope Adrian I. While not as impressive as many we have seen, it was still worth seeing.Read more