Home > Attractions > Northumberland > Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras

Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

One of the least known and yet, most interesting, of the Roman sites along the course of Hadrian's Wall. Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras is a 'mithraeum', or temple dedicated to the god Mithras, a form of sun god whose cult became extremely popular among soldiers of the Roman legions.

The Temple stands close to the site of Carrawburgh Roman Fort. The fort is largely unexcavated, but the temple has been well examined. On display are copies of mithraic altars found during excavation on the site.

The Temple was founded in the 3rd century, and went through three distinct phases of construction. The first phase began around the year 200 AD, and created a rectangular temple measuring about 5.6 by 7.9 metres. About 222 AD a second phase occurred, with an extension added to the north. Further rebuilding and interior redesign took place during the course of the 3rd century. The temple was destroyed in 297 AD, then reconstructed at the turn of th3 4th century, before it was finally destroyed for good around 330 AD. That final destruction was quite possibly the work of Christians, who tended to see Mithraism as a threat.

Excavation revealed a large altar to the Nymphs and Genius Loci (spirit of the place) standing just outside the temple entrance.

Excavations at the site also uncovered a shrine to the water nymph Coventina. Unfortunately, the shrine can no longer be seen.

What you can see, however, has been partly reconstructed to show the mithraeum as it would have looked in the early 4th century.
Simonburn, Northumberland, England

About Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras
Attraction Type: Roman
Location: Open access site located just south of the B6318.
Website: Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras
English Heritage
Location map
Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras Photos
OS NY858710
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information Photos

Nearest Attractions Black Carts Turret (Hadrian's Wall) - 1.7 miles (Roman) Sewingshields Raman Wall (Hadrian's Wall) - 2.9 miles (Roman) Chesters Roman Fort - 3.1 miles (Roman) Chesters Walled Garden - 3.1 miles (Garden) Chipchase Castle - 3.3 miles (Historic House) Chesters Bridge Abutment (Hadrian's Wall) - 3.5 miles (Roman) Wark Castle - 3.6 miles (Castle) Brunton Turret (Hadrian's Wall) - 3.9 miles (Roman)

Nearest Towns and Villages Wall - 4.2 miles away Chollerford - 4.4 miles away Haydon Bridge - 4.7 miles away Hexham - 6.7 miles away Haltwhistle - 9.1 miles away Corbridge - 9.4 miles away Otterburn - 12.8 miles away Bywell - 13 miles away

Photos of Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras

Temple of Mithras

Roman altars

Carving on altar

See all Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras Photos

Nearest Accommodation to Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Braemar - 4.3 miles from Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras Haydon Bridge, Northumberland Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £200

Gate House - 5.9 miles from Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras Allendale Town, Northumberland Sleeps: 4 Stay from: £164

Middles Cottage - 10.2 miles from Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras Hexham, Northumberland Sleeps: 3 Stay from: £250

More Self Catering near Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras

Nearest Hotels

Carraw Bed and Breakfast - 0.6 miles from Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras Humshaugh, Northumberland Stay from: £70.00

Hadrian Lodge Hotel - 3.1 miles from Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras Haydon Bridge, Northumberland Stay from: £100.00

Battlesteads Hotel - 3.6 miles from Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras Hexham, Northumberland Stay from: £110.00

More Hotels near Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Carraw Bed & Breakfast - 0.3 miles from Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras Hexham, Northumberland From: £50.00

Greencarts - 1.7 miles from Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras Hexham, Northumberland From: £70.00

Hallbarns Bed & Breakfast - 1.7 miles from Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras Simonburn, Northumberland From: £105.00

More bed and breakfasts near Carrawburgh Temple of Mithras

Hexham
Tourist Information Centre
Wentworth Car Park
Hexham
Northumberland
England
NE46 1QE
Tel: 01434 652220
Fax: 01434 652393
Email: hexham.tic@tynedale.gov.uk
Map