The Real Valentine: A Martyr’s Skull Now on the Map

The Basilica of St. Maria in Cosmedin in Rome is a famous tourist attraction because of an ancient marble mask called "The Mouth of Truth".

Tourists normally line up to stick their hand in the mouth and snap a photo. Legend has it that the mouth will bite those who lie. But not a lot of people know about the real treasure inside the Church. This includes according to tradition the relics of St. Valentine, where his skull resides.

According to tradition, beneath the high altar rest the relics of St. Valentine, a 3rd century priest and martyr.

St. Valentine did not become famous because of flowers or greeting cards. He became a saint because he gave his life for Christ. Ancient accounts tell us he ministered to persecuted Christians and courageously upheld the sanctity of marriage during a time of imperial oppression. For his faithfulness, he was imprisoned and ultimately executed.

The Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, nestled along the Tiber, stands as a remarkable example of medieval Romanesque architecture. Founded in the 6th century over the remains of an ancient temple, the church was later expanded by Greek monks fleeing Byzantine persecution, who adorned it with rich decorations, earning it the name Cosmedin, meaning "beautiful" in Greek.

The church’s most famous feature is the Bocca della Verità, the legendary Mouth of Truth, a carved stone mask set into the portico that has captured the imagination of visitors for centuries. Inside, the basilica’s elegant columns, intricate cosmatesque floor, and delicate frescoes reflect the craftsmanship of medieval Rome. Beneath the high altar lie the relics of Saint Valentine, venerated as the patron of lovers.