The Roman Temple of Mithras at the London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE and it's new multi-sensory exhibition is now open. Situated on top of one of Londons lost rivers, the Walbrook, this was the site of a Temple dedicated to the god Mithras built around 240AD.
The cult of Mithras first appeared in Rome in the 1st century AD and spread all across the Roman Empire over the next 300 years. Members met in temples, often constructed underground in mysterious dark and windowless spaces. The focus of the cult is the mythological scene of Mithras killing a bull inside a cave - the "tauroctony", but there's much speculation of its meaning.
Before entering the temple, you get the chance to see a selection of the 14,000 objects discovered on the site; from the earliest hand written document referencing London, a sandal, coins, to a Roman bull plaque.
The Temple was first uncovered in 1954, during development of the area, and the Museum of London began to excavate. The decision was then made to relocate the run 100 metres down the road to Temple Court, where a reconstruction (somewhat badly put together it's said) and was opened up for the public. In 2007 plans started to come together for a new Walbrook Square project, and to relocate the Mithraeum to its original location. In 2010 the project was purchased by the Bloomberg company, who decided to restore the Mithraeum to its original site and incorporate it within their new European headquarters.
It's really a cleverly put together exhibition, and I urge you to visit - especially because it's free! Make sure you book before your visit here.
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