You never know what wonders may be concealed beneath our modern streets…

 

People queue to see the remains of the temple in 1954.

 

From CNN,

 

Temple to ancient Roman cult resurrected beneath London

By Katy Scott

 

“In central London, seven meters underground, lies an ancient Roman temple to a mysterious god called Mithras. Nearly 2,000 years after the temple was frequented by the all-male members of an exclusive, enigmatic cult, it has now been faithfully restored and opened to the public.

 

Visitors descend into a dimly lit cave beneath the new London headquarters of business news outlet Bloomberg. The temple slowly comes to life as torch light flickers and a recording of a low chanting fills the room. Channels of light and haze extend from the rocky ruins, recreating shadowy columns to give the impression of the temple’s superstructure. A light display in the recess of the temple depicts the cult statue of Mithras slaying a bull, an image that was the central icon of the cult.

 

The lost Roman temple beneath London.

 

It is believed that soldiers and merchants gathered in these secret temples drinking, feasting and performing rituals that may have involved simulating death and rebirth, and even some nakedness…”

 

For the rest, click here.

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