On the eastern end of Hadrian's wall between Housesteads and Chesters is the old Roman fort Carrawburgh (known as Brcolita to the Romans). The Roman Wall here was demolished to build the road through it, and the fort is overgrown with only the earth indicating of a former structure. However, the gem is the ruins of the Temple of Mithras, and it remains in the valley and a short five-minute walk from the parking along the main road.
The Temple of Mithras was a cult popular with Roman soldiers, and there is still a lot of mystery surrounding the cult and what the beliefs were, although my post (A Visit to the Temple of Mithras, London Mithraeum) earlier this year when I visited the Temple of Mithras in London has some more information. In short, the temple was dedicated to the god Mithras, and a bull and astrology seems to play a part in the rituals.
Stone carvings and altars were discovered in the temple, which was discovered in 1957. Additional sites and buildings related to Mithras were discovered here as well, and one of these was worship of Roman-British goddess Coventina; at the well/spring, offerings have been found. The well and other buildings are no longer visible, but I think the site shows the importance of traditions for the soldiers and the blend of different cultures and beliefs between the groups of people that Rome conquered.
There is a short walk down to the temple through the fields where sheep and lambs were grazing.
The temple lies in the valley.
The altars remain, and people who have passed through have left their own offerings.
The old fort itself can be found just above the temple, but there's nothing left except the unlevel earth that appears to be disturbed over the centuries.
To read about my visit to the Temple of Mithras in London, view this post: A Visit to the Temple of Mithras, London Mithraeum
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