Mithraeum at the Baths of Caracalla, Underground temple in Baths of Caracalla, Rome, Italy
The Mithraeum is an underground temple beneath the Baths of Caracalla complex with a rectangular layout measuring roughly 23 meters long and 10 meters wide. High cross-vaulted ceilings cover the space, while white mosaic floors decorated with black bands form the base.
This temple was built after the baths were completed in 217 and remained active until 537, when the aqueduct supplying water was cut off. This period of 320 years marks how long the site functioned as a center for religious gatherings.
Wall paintings in this underground temple show Mithras alongside a torchbearer, offering glimpses into the beliefs held by worshippers who gathered here. These images reveal how followers expressed their faith through art and ritual space.
This underground temple sits within service tunnels beneath the large bath complex and is not open for casual visits. Visitors should ask about special guided tours or events that provide access to this hidden chamber.
This temple is the largest known gathering space for Mithraic worship and was uncovered during excavations in 1912. The discovery revealed unexpected scale for a religious practice previously known mainly from smaller shrines elsewhere.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
