Bocca di Leone
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With the name Bocca di Leone ( Venetian Boche de Leon , 'Snapdragon' ) "complaint letterboxes" were used in the old Republic of Venice , which were used to receive written reports and complaints to the state organs.
Purpose and function
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The name "bocca" (mouth) stems from the fact that these mailboxes , which were set into the wall, often had a lion's mouth open to throw in written advertisements. The lion was supposed to remind of the lion of St. Mark , symbol of the republic. These mailboxes were scattered all over the city, but were particularly found in and around the Doge's Palace . The secrecy of the advertisements was guaranteed, anonymous advertisements were destroyed. Exceptions were made only in the case of serious anonymous allegations, whereby a detailed examination was required. Reports concerning the security of the state were passed on to the responsible bodies, the State Inquisitors or the dreaded Council of Ten . Today you can still find “bocche di leone” in the Doge's Palace and on the facade of the Church of Santa Maria della Visitazione . These mailboxes have also been preserved in some other cities of the former Venetian rule. B. in Buzet / Istria in today's Croatia . The slot is not necessarily surrounded by a snapdragon design.
