How often do you think about the Roman Empire? This question may send some unnerving chills down your spine from an unspoken viral moment in the zeitgeist, but your answer being high is more than justified here in London… or should I say Londinium?
London is famed for its Roman roots, and there’s nowhere better to learn more about this fascinating slice of history than our iconic Square Mile, otherwise known as The City of London. So, if you’re yearning to discover the history behind the capital’s ancient foundations, head underneath our iconic skyline to witness the beautifully restored London Mithraeum, a mind-blowing Roman temple that was once the place of worship for a cult dedicated to the god Mithras.
What is the London Mithraeum?
Nestled inside Bloomberg’s European headquarters, London Mitraeum is an amazing cultural hub that showcases the ancient temple, as well as a remarkable collection of Roman artefacts with unmatched insight into both the history of the site, and Londinium itself.
It’s said that the temple was founded in 300AD, built next to one of London’s long-lost rivers, the Walbrook. This river marked the limits of the Roman’s first-ever settlement in the city, with a handful of remnants remaining across the City of London.
London Mitraeum was built to worship the Roman god Mithras, with this mysterious cult first appearing in Rome in the 1st century AD, before spreading across the empire for the next few centuries. Joining the Mithraic cult once required ascending through seven different levels of initiation, and full members described themselves as ‘united by the handshake.’
Fortunately for us, no rites, rituals or secret signs are required to attend these days, and entry is completely free, with na’ry an animal sacrifice needed.
Beyond the Mithras temple…
However, this alluring museum delves into so much more than this lesser-known denomination of Roman religion.
As mentioned previously, the Miteaeum boasts a spectacular collection of artefacts, being the largest and earliest of its kind in the entire country. The temple was discovered in 1954 on the final day of a major archaeological project taking over the City. They uncovered the marble head of a statue depicting Mithras in the rubble of post-war London, which instantly became one of “the most significant events in British archaeological history”.
You can expect a variety of significant relics of Roman Londinium, including (but not limited to) the first known reference to London and the earliest hand-written document in Britain. The ultra-modern exhibit also features projections and interactive displays for a truly immersive learning experience.
Everything you need to know before you go:
Location: Find London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE at 12 Walbrook, City of London, EC4N 8AA. Nearest station is Bank. See it on Google Maps.
Opening hours: closed Monday, 10am-6 pm Tuesday-Saturday, 12pm-5pm on Sunday. It’s open late, until 8pm, on the first Thursday of every month.
Entry: Free but booking is advised to guarantee entry.
More information: on their website.