Mithräum Königsbrunn
Protective building over Bavaria's only surviving Roman sanctuary of Mithras in the Königsbrunn cemetery – open on summer Sundays, free admission.
About the museum
When the municipal cemetery on Wertachstraße was being expanded in 1976/77, Roman wall remains came to light. They belonged to a small settlement along the long-distance aqueduct that supplied Augusta Vindelicum, today's Augsburg, from the south. At first the foundations were interpreted as part of a Roman farm estate and were filled in again.
Only years later was it recognized that one of the ground plans was a sanctuary of Mithras – a mystery cult open only to initiated men and especially widespread among soldiers and merchants. Volunteers from the Arbeitskreis für Vor- und Frühgeschichte (prehistory and early history working group) excavated the site again around the turn of the millennium; in the cult chamber they found around a hundred coins from the 2nd to 4th centuries and remains of colored wall plaster.
In 2001/02 the site received a modern protective building. Inside, visitors can see the ground plan with anteroom, cult room and apse, as well as a replica of the Mithras relief from Sterzing, since the original cult image is missing. A large window allows a view inside at any time. For long-term conservation, the original walls were covered over in 2013. Original finds are displayed at the Archäologisches Museum Königsbrunn on Marktplatz; about 70 meters to the north, the foundations of a Roman bath have been made visible.
Highlights
- The only surviving sanctuary of Mithras within the former province of Raetia
- Ground plan with cult room, anteroom and apse inside the protective building
- Replica of the Mithras cult image from Sterzing
- View through the display window possible at any time
- Torchlight tours with wine and bread for groups
- Roman bath within sight on the cemetery grounds
Permanent exhibitions
- Mithras-Heiligtum im Schutzbau – The excavated ground plan of the cult room, with a replica of the bull-slaying relief, conveys how initiates gathered in a Roman mithraeum.
- Operated by
- Stadt Königsbrunn
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Adults | free |
|---|
Free admission; group and torchlight tours by arrangement (ask the Kulturbüro for terms).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 30 min |
|---|
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & dining
Parking at the cemetery.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Volunteer guided tours by the Arbeitskreis für Vor- und Frühgeschichte explain the discovery, the excavation and the cult. Evening torchlight tours with Roman wine and bread for 10 or more people on request (Kulturbüro Königsbrunn or Heimatverein für den Landkreis Augsburg). |
