Fertőrákos mithraeum, Roman temple sanctuary in Fertőrákos, Hungary.
The Fertőrákos mithraeum is an underground temple with a trapezoidal floor plan and a vaulted stone ceiling. Its southern and eastern walls are carved directly from bedrock, while the other sides are built from stone masonry.
A Hungarian stonemason named György Malleschitz discovered this temple in 1866 while working in a quarry. Local officials sponsored the first archaeological excavation that followed shortly after.
The inscriptions on the three altars show names of Roman soldiers and officials who made offerings here. These dedications reveal that Mithra worship was woven into the daily religious practices of this border region.
Access requires descending four steps into the main chamber, which sits roughly 80 centimeters below ground level. Visitors should expect low ceilings and dim lighting, and wearing comfortable shoes is recommended.
The trapezoidal shape is unusual for Roman temples and resulted from adapting to the natural rock formation of the quarry site. This compromise between religious design ideals and the constraints of the landscape reveals how practical concerns shaped sacred spaces.
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