Temple of Mithras, London
The Temple of Mithras is an important Roman ruin discovered on Walbrook Street in London during rebuilding work following World War II.
History
The Persian god Mithras was particularly popular with Roman soldiers and troops garrisoned on the British frontier. They built this temple to Mithras in 240-50 AD.
The archaeological site was excavated by W. F. Grimes and the artifacts recovered were put on display in the Museum of London.
What to See
The Museum of London still has an exhibit on the Temple of Mithras. There you can read about the temple and the marble sculptures discovered buried underneath.
Due to the necessity of building over the site, the ruins were uprooted and moved down the road to Queen Victoria Street, where the temple remains are on display to the public.
Temples to Mithras (Mithraea) were typically built partly or totally underground, as they were intended to symbolise the cave where Mithras killed the primordial bull and released powers of life and creativity to the world.
The temple foundations that remain reveal the Roman influence on the design of churches: like later Christian buildings, the Temple of Mithras features a central nave, side aisles and a rounded apse.
Quick Facts
| Address: | Queen Victoria Street, London EC4, England |
| Tube: | Barbican or St. Paul's |
| Hours: | Always open |
| Cost: | Free |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Temple of Mithras. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our London Map or get our free Google Earth download.
More Information
- Discovering Beliefs at Walbrook - Museum of London
- Temple of Mithras - TravelGator
- Temple of Mithras, London - Wikipedia
