Mitreo di Palazzo Barberini

Barberini Mithreum


Useful Information

Location: Rome, Via delle Quattro Fontane 13.
Metro: Line A stop Barberini
Bus: n.52; 53; 56; 58; 60; 61; 95; 116; 175; 492; 590
Open: SEP to JUL 2nd and 4th Saturday 10.
Groups (-20): SEP to JUL 2nd and 4th Sunday 9, 11.
[2020]
Fee: Adults EUR 5.50, Children (0-11) free.
Online: Adults EUR 2.
Groups (-20): Per Group EUR 40, Guide EUR 90.
[2020]
Classification: SubterraneaMithras Grotto
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours: D=60 min. Italiano - Italian English Français - French Deutsch - German Español - Spanish
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:
Address: Mitreo di Palazzo Barberini, Via delle Quattro Fontane 13, Roma, Tel: +39-0, Fax: +39-0,
Sovrintendenza, CoopCulture, Tel: +39-06-39967702. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1936 rediscovered.

Description

The Mitreo di Palazzo Barberini is one of two which are open to the public in Rome. Once there were thousands, but most of them were destroyed. This one actually survived and was forgotten until it was rediscovered in 1936 by accident.

The mithraeum is a rectangular room with a barrel vault and benches along the sides. The Palazzo Barberini dates to the 2nd century, but the mithraeum was in use during the 3rd century. The most interesting details are various astrological symbols and ten small paintings which tell the story of Mithras. They are like a cartoon or the Christian way of the cross.