Recently I got a time slot to visit the new re-positioned Mithraeum Temple in the City of London. It's under the Bloomberg building at 12 Walbrook, EC4N 8AA.
Mithras? Think of bulls and sacrifice as the main theme, although it seems to have been more symbolic than real as the space is really too small to get a bull into.
It was first re-discovered in early 50’s during redevelopment on a bomb site from World War Two. Since Roman times it had been gradually covered over as the ground level rose around it. It’s currently many yards below street level!
To be frank, not a lot of the temple survives above the foundations, but the reconstruction of the sense of place and time is impressive. A lot of work has been done to restore and reveal again what was subsequently moved after the original excavations.
At the ground level you enter a space with modern artwork and a panel showing 400 original Roman objects discovered on the site (an interpretative tablet-based description is available for free). There are toilets but no cafe (plenty close by).
Down one level is a multimedia backgrounder with voices and projections. You can spend more time here awaiting your slot, or catch up again on the way out.
At your appointed time you get to descend again into the actual Mithraeum Temple.
To start with it’s darkish and mysterious. Gradually the lights start doing a show and sounds and voices play out.
I won’t say much more, but, for a free show, it can take you into a place you might not have thought about before.
(Unless you are a man and into 'secret' dining club rituals.... so, it's right at home in the City then! )