London Mithraeum

The London Mithraeum stands beneath the modern Bloomberg London building in the City of London. It is a Roman temple dedicated to Mithras, the mystery god worshipped by soldiers in the 3rd century. The temple once stood near the River Walbrook, a key water source in Roman Londinium, and was later moved and rebuilt twice before its final relocation. The temple is worth the journey for its remarkable artefacts and historical significance. Excavations in 1954 uncovered finely detailed marble sculptures of Minerva, Mercury, Mithras, and Serapis, along with a marble relief of Mithras slaying the bull, the central act in Mithraism. More than 14,000 items, including wooden writing tablets with the oldest known financial document from London, were recovered during later digs between 2010 and 2013. Visitors find the temple reconstructed as it appeared in AD 240, with most original stones and bricks preserved. The underground space displays a selection of artefacts, including the head of Mithras with his Phrygian cap and a bearded head of Serapis. The setting, 7 metres below street level, recreates the temple’s original position near the lost River Walbrook, offering a glimpse into London’s Roman past.