Marino Mithraeum, Underground temple and archaeological site in Marino, Italy.
The Marino Mithraeum is an underground sanctuary carved into volcanic rock located in Marino. A long entrance corridor leads into a wider chamber where the ritual space is arranged.
Workers discovered this Roman sanctuary in 1963 while expanding a cellar on Via Borgo della Stazione. The find reveals that worship of Mithras reached this region of the Roman world.
The sanctuary walls show painted frescoes of the god Mithras in eastern clothing sacrificing a white bull, along with other mythological scenes. These images tell of beliefs that were common among Roman soldiers and merchants.
Access to the sanctuary requires a guide and visitor groups are kept small to protect the underground space. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the ground is uneven and the underground air stays cool and damp.
This sanctuary ranks among the larger known Mithraic temples found within the Roman Empire. Its location buried under the modern town shows how Roman structures lie hidden deep beneath Marino's present-day streets.
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