This is one of the more interesting Bocce di Leone—Lion's mouths. It is on one porch of the Ducal Palace. A lot is written about the Bocca di Leone; that secret denunciations could be made by inserting accusations anonymously into the little box. Though it sounds like a great way to get revenge if there's someone you didn't like, the reality was a little different. Unless the accusation was accompanied by the names of two witnesses, it was usually discarded. Occasionally, accusations without the required witnesses were deemed important enough to deal with as a matter affecting the State. No doubt there were abuses, but citizens were not randomly captured and imprisoned because of the denunciations dropped in these little boxes. They are no longer used for this purpose. There a number of them within the Ducal Palace, and on walls in all districts of the city. Many people unfortunately mistake them for fancy wastebaskets. Others, surely, throw in refuse to tweak the ancestors. The inscription on this Bocca di Leone reads: 'Unlocking secrets from those who would hide them, you will receive grace and offices (awards, honors) He who colludes in hiding the truth will render it (i.e., it will not be hidden from us.)'
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