On Tuesday, May 7, Patrons were welcomed to a special after-hours opening and private tour of Santa Maria in Cosmedin and the legendary Bocca della Verità.

The visit offered a rare chance to explore one of Rome’s most atmospheric early Christian churches, built in the 6th century over ancient Roman remains and later enriched through the centuries as the spiritual home of the Greek-speaking community in medieval Rome. In the portico, Patrons encountered the famed Bocca della Verità, the great marble mask from ancient times that legend claims will bite the hand of anyone who tells a lie — a story that has enchanted visitors for generations.

The evening concluded with a moment of pure joy, as guests were invited to ring the historic church bells, their sound resonating over the Roman Forum and the Tiber, echoing across centuries of faith, art, and myth.