Step Back to Roman London at the London Mithraeum

Hidden beneath the busy streets of the City of London is one of the UK’s most fascinating Roman sites, the Temple of Mithras. Today it is known as the London Mithraeum Bloomberg Space, and it is free to visit.

Descending the stairs, the sounds of the city fade away until they are little more than a hum in the background. The room is dark, lit only by a narrow beam of light. Footsteps echo, voices begin to chant, and through the haze the temple slowly comes to life. Seven columns line the nave, and at the far end Mithras is shown in the act of slaying a bull, the central image of his cult.

The noise builds to a crescendo, the ritual ends, and the voices fade once again. The door slams shut and you are left standing in silence, imagining what it must have been like to take part in ceremonies here almost two thousand years ago.

London Mithraeum Bloomberg Space

Having worked in the City of London, I know how easy it is to rush past without realising what’s hidden below ground. Just a few minutes’ walk from Bank station, in the middle of Bloomberg’s European HQ, sits one of the UK’s most important archaeological sites.

The London Mithraeum Bloomberg Space reconstructs the Temple of Mithras almost exactly where it once stood and gives visitors a chance to step back into Roman London. The immersive sound and light experience brings the temple to life, while the exhibition upstairs showcases artefacts uncovered during excavations. These include pottery, tools and Roman writing tablets, which offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the city’s earliest residents.

The Temple of Mithras

The Temple of Mithras was uncovered in the ruins of a bomb site in the early 1950s. Dedicated to the god Mithras, it quickly captured the imagination of Londoners. At first it was moved and displayed nearby, but it has now returned to its original site above the buried course of the Walbrook River which runs deep beneath the city.

To reconstruct the temple, experts used archaeological drawings, models, photographs and even news footage. Today it stands seven metres below ground level, just slightly west of its original position. During restoration more remains were uncovered but they were too fragile to display and have been carefully preserved.

Artefacts on display

Alongside the temple itself you will find many of the objects discovered during the excavations. My favourite is a Roman writing tablet, the kind used to record some of the earliest written documents ever found in Britain. It is a reminder that the people who lived here nearly two thousand years ago wrote down their business transactions and personal notes in ways that feel surprisingly familiar today, although they never had to worry about running out of battery!

Other items on display include pottery, jewellery, coins and everyday household objects. Each one adds another layer to the story of London’s first inhabitants and helps you imagine what life might have been like in this part of the city during Roman times.

Visiting the London Mithraeum

If you have an hour or two to spare in the City, the London Mithraeum is well worth a visit. Entry is free, although it is best to book in advance. Access to the temple is organised in small groups every twenty minutes, and while you wait you can explore interactive displays that explain more about the cult of Mithras and the history of the site.

The experience itself only lasts a short while but with the artefacts and exhibition upstairs, most visitors spend about an hour here in total.

The last word

Climbing back up the stairs into the daylight, it is hard to believe that thousands of commuters rush past every day, completely unaware of the temple hidden just below their feet. The London Mithraeum is one of those rare places that connects modern London with its ancient past. If you are nearby and have an hour to spare, it is absolutely worth stepping underground to experience this unique glimpse into Roman Britain.