>> 🕯️ Hidden Archaeological Site: A Visit to the London Mithraeum at Bloomberg Space

Hello my dear loyal readers,

Welcome back to your favorite Blog! This time with another London excursion. Even though, I live in London since several years now, I still frequently come across places I have never seen or heard of before. Like this one - the London Mithraeum. Right next to Cannon street tube station. This place was recommended to me and an exhibition called 'Born From Stone' is currently on display. However, the true historical site is located downstairs. In this article, you will find out more and you can also visit the site yourself if you are looking to take a break from the big city life, for a moment of zen and are interested in archaeology and historical finds.

Here is a bit of background information about the London Mithraeum, I looked it up for you: 'The London Mithraeum, also known as the Temple of Mithras, is an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the god Mithras discovered at its original site in the 1950s during construction work for the new Bucklersbury House, in the heart of London. Archaeologists uncovered the remains of the Roman temple along with various artifacts that were associated with the Mithraic cult, which was a mystery religion practiced in the Roman Empire. 

The excavation occurred in 1954 and it revealed important artifacts such as statues, altars, inscriptions and Mithraic iconography (e.g., the famous image of Mithras slaying a bull). The site was dated to around the 2nd or 3rd century AD, during the period when Mithraism was practiced in the Roman Empire.'

'In the decades following the discovery, the site went through various stages of research and conservation. The Mithraeum and its artifacts were later moved to the Museum of London, where the collection was displayed for public viewing. In 2017, the Museum of London reinstalled the Mithraeum at its original site (near the Bloomberg offices) as part of the Bloomberg Space initiative, recreating the temple in a modern setting to give visitors a sense of the space as it might have looked during Roman times.

The remains of the temple, including its altar, carvings and artifacts, are open for visitors to explore, providing a fascinating look at the secretive traditions of the Mithraic religion in Roman London.'

An immersive tour has been created that takes place every 20 minutes but lasts only 6 minutes. There is a light show and the audio is cryptic, in a language no one understands. Ok, at least I don't.. There’s a certain atmosphere in this downstairs area that strongly reminded me of scenes from one of my favorite adventure movies from back in the day 'The Mummy'. The original, of course, with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. I liked it so much that I even bought the DVD. 😊 If this kind of environment is interesting to you as well, you should definitely visit the London Mithraeum.

These artifacts were discovered during excavations at the site, offering a glimpse into the past. Carefully preserved and displayed behind glass, they provide valuable insight into the history and culture of the area, allowing visitors to connect with the ancient world in a tangible way. Located on the grounds of Bloomberg’s European headquarters, this cultural hub features the ancient temple, a collection of remarkable Roman relics and a series of contemporary art commissions inspired by one of the UK’s most significant archaeological sites.

More information about the tour: Each tour is limited to a small group of visitors and the highlight is a stunning glass display of Mithras on his horse. This modern interpretation captures the essence of the ancient god, adding a powerful visual element to the experience. For a deep dive into London history and with a side of mystery, you can book free tickets for this unique tour at LondonMithraeum.com. Thank you for stopping by here today.