Emerita Augusta

Roman Theatre

The theatre was built from 15 to 16 BC and dedicated by the consul Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. It was renovated in the late 1st or early 2nd century AD, possibly by the emperor Trajan, and again between 330 and 340 during Constantine's reign, when a walkway and new decorative elements were added. With the advent of Christianity as Rome's sole state religion, theatrical performances were officially declared immoral: the theatre was abandoned and most of its fabric was covered with earth, leaving only its upper tiers of seats (summa cavea). In Spanish tradition, these were known as "The Seven Chairs" in which several Moorish kings held court to decide the fate of the city.

Teatro romano de Mérida (HR) — Á. M. Felicísimo @ Flickr

Roman Amphitheatre

The amphitheatre was dedicated in 8 BC, for use in gladiatorial contests and staged beast-hunts. It has an elliptical arena, surrounded by tiered seating for 15,000 spectators. The seating is divided according to the requirements of Augustan ideology, with the lowest seats reserved for the highest status spectators. Only this lowest tier survives. When the games fell into disuse, the amphitheatre's upper tiers were quarried for stone, for use in new buildings nearby.

Teatro Romano de Mérida — © Juan Jesus Pozo Sanchez / 500px @ 500px

Roman Circus

The circus of Emerita Augusta was built some time around 20 BC, and was in use for many years before its dedication some thirty years later, probably during the reign of Augustus' successor, Tiberius. It was sited outside the city walls, alongside the road that connected Emeritus in Corduba (Córdoba) with Toletum (Toledo). The arena plan was of elongated U-shape, with one end semicircular and the other flattened. A lengthwise spina formed a central divide within, to provide a continuous trackway for two-horse and four-horse chariot racing. The track was surrounded by ground level cellae, with tiered stands above. At some 400m long and 100m wide, the Circus was the city's largest building, and could seat about 30,000 spectators – the city's entire population, more or less. Like most circuses throughout the Roman Empire, Merida's circus resembled a much scaled-down version of Rome's Circus Maximus.

Roman bridge over the Guadiana

Can be considered, somehow, as the source of the city and in any event, which marks its route to be extended from one of the main arteries of the colony, the Decumanus Maximus.

DSC_9045 — MollaAliod @ Flickr

The situation of the bridge is carefully selected at a ford of the river Guadiana offered as a support a central island that divides it into two channels. The original structure did not provide the continuity of the present, as it was composed by two sections of arches joined in the island, where a large Starling. This was replaced by several arcs in the seventeenth century, after a flood dated in 1603 damaged part of the structure. In Roman times the length was extended several times, adding at least five consecutive sections of arches so that the road is not cut during the periodic flooding of the Guadiana. That has made this work reaches the 792 m long, one of the largest remaining at that time.

Teatro romano — Oscar F. Hevia @ Flickr

Aqueduct of Los Milagros

Part of the transfer that brought water to Merida from the Proserpina Dam located 5 km from the city. Dates from the early 1st B.C. century.

The arcade is now fairly well preserved, especially the section that spans the valley of the river Albarregas.

Anfiteatro Mérida Panorámida 2 fotos.jpg — jamebla @ Flickr

It is known by this name, because it seems a miracle that it was still standing.

Mérida_2015 10 17_1624 — HBarrison @ Flickr

Aqueduct of Rabo de Buey-San Lázaro

Brought water from streams and underground springs located north of the city; the subterranean part of the aqueduct is very well preserved but of the structure built to cross the Albarregas valley, there only survives three pillars and their arches next to the monument of the Roman circus and to another aqueduct of the 16th century, in which material was reused from the Roman aqueduct.

Temple of Diana

This temple is a municipal building belonging to the city forum. It is one of the few buildings of religious character preserved in a satisfactory state. Despite its name, wrongly assigned in its discovery, the building was dedicated to the Imperial cult. It was built in the late 1st century B.C. or early in the Augustan era.

_MG_4149 — wsifrancis @ Flickr

Rectangular, and surrounded by columns, it faces the front of the city's Forum. This front was formed by a set of six columns ending in a gable. It is mainly built of granite.

teatro de mérida — Mikelo @ Flickr

Arch of Trajan

Entrance arch, possibly the provincial forum. Was located in the Cardo Maximus, one of the main streets of the city and reported it to the municipal forum. In his time was covered with marble.

Made of granite and marble wrapped in origin, it measures 13.97 meters high, 5.70 m wide and 8.67 m for arc flash. It is believed to have a triumphal character, although it could also serve as a prelude to the Provincial Forum. Immersed in the maze and masked by modern construction nearby houses, this arch stands majestic and admired by travelers and historians of all time. Its name is arbitrary, as the commemorative inscription was lost centuries ago.

Arcos — Oscar F. Hevia @ Flickr

House of the Mithraeum

It was found fortuitously in the early 1960's, and is located on the southern slope of Mount San Albín. Its proximity to the location of Merida's Mithraeum led to its current name. The whole house was built in concrete blocks reinforced corners. Highlights the peristyle house with interior garden and a room of the famous western sector Cosmogonic Mosaic, allegorical of the elements of nature (rivers, winds, etc) chaired by the figure of Aion. The complex has been roofed and fitted out to visit recently.

DSC07719- MERIDA, Spanien — HerryB @ Flickr

Los Columbarios

With this name are called two buildings funeral, held in the open, outside the walls of the Roman city. Both are the best example of funerary constructions Emeritus. The materials used for manufacturing are the masonry and granite masonry. In the two sections are preserved identification epigraphies of the owner families (the Vaconios and Julios) as it has been known the origin and condition of them.

Alcazaba

Next to the Roman bridge of the Guadiana River. Built by Abderraman II in 835 d. C. as a stronghold to control the city, which since 805 had rebelled continuously against the rule of the Emirate. First Arab citadel of the Iberian Peninsula.

DSC07716- MERIDA, Spanien — HerryB @ Flickr

It is a complex construct, consisting of a large area of 130 square meters on a side capable of accommodating a large number of troops. Inside are a wonderful aljibe, where building is unique, consisting of an endless water tank (filtered from the Guadiana) that was accessed with a double row from the ground floor of a tower. At one end was built a convent for the Order of Santiago and is now the seat of the presidency of the Junta de Extremadura. Next to the Roman bridge is attached another smaller room, called Alcazarejo, which controlled the river crossing the city.

DSC07730- MERIDA, Spanien — HerryB @ Flickr

Basilica of Santa Eulalia

Concatedral of Santa María La Mayor

Other sights and attractions

• House of the amphitheater. So named because it stands next to the amphitheater. Should be stressed that it actually found is a set of two houses: the "House of the Water Tower", and on the other hand, the actual "House of the amphitheater."

• Archaeological site of Morerías. Remains of a Roman neighborhood of an Arab neighborhood. Above him stands the Morerías avant-garde building, headquarters of several departments of the Junta de Extremadura.

• Roman bridge over the river Albarregas. Its construction was made in the reign of Augustus, in order to save the river Albarregas before emptying into the river Guadiana to barely a few hundred yards downstream. From here started the Via de la Plata to Astorga. Is 145 meters long.

• Gate of the Forum. Erected in the first century It was restored in the last century based on some of the findings in place, many of which are preserved in the National Museum of Roman Art. The monument consists of an arcaded building with a wall which is home to diverse niches for statues found here. It is located near the Temple of Diana in one of two forums held Mérida: one local and one provincial located in the Cardus Maximus.

• Roman Baths of San Lázaro. These springs located in the San Lazaro Linear Park, the citizens enjoyed high rank who came to the events in the Roman Circus.

• Roman Baths and snow pit of the C/ Reyes Huertas. Used by the Romans as well snow and cold water baths, is unique in the Roman Empire. It was also used for storage of perishable goods.

• Crypt of Santa Eulalia, Santa Eulalia archaeological site. In the basement of the Basilica of Santa Eulalia is a very interesting site that describes the various vicissitudes he suffered this church from its construction to present day.

• Obelisk of Santa Eulalia. Built in the seventeenth century in honor of the martyr patroness of Merida, being used in various building materials among them Roman pieces, including three cylindrical and a capital interest. Crowning the whole is the image of the martyr, a reworked judicial robes.

• Xenodoquio. Only remnant of Visigothic architecture preserved in Spain that has no liturgical character. It was built by Bishop Mason in the second half of the 6th century. Near the Basilica of Santa Eulalia de Mérida, served as a hospital and shelter of the pilgrims who came to venerate the remains of the child martyr, also used as a hospital for the poor of the city.

• Convento de San Andrés. Founded in 1571 by the Dominican Order of Santo Domingo. The main facade of the temple was exhibited patterns of action and framework of the city. There remain only the church and the main facade whose cover you can see an image of Santo Domingo. Recent excavations at the site of the monastery have uncovered interesting archeological data that provide insights into the historical evolution of this part of Old Town. The centuries 3rd 4th features a mosaic that decorated a Roman house located within the city walls. Visigothic has discovered one of the oldest churches in the city of San Andrés. During the Islamic period the site was occupied by a cemetery and the 12th century are remains of a new wall that would enclose the Islamic city. With the arrival of the Christians, 13th century, restored the former Visigothic church, bringing with her a cemetery. Already in the 16th century the monastery was founded today.

• Castellum aquae. Situated on top of Calvario Street, was the end of the Aqueduct of Los Milagros and the principle of water distribution throughout the city.

• Dolmen Lácara. National Monument since 1931. Situated on the outskirts of the city, has a circular chamber of 5.10 meters in diameter, a corridor 20 meters long, and a mound of stones and earth covering the construction, with a height of 3.50 meters elliptical shape that reaches 35 meters at its axis.

• Cornalvo and Proserpina Reservoirs. Near Mérida find those who might be the oldest reservoirs in Spain: Swamp Nature Park Cornalvo and Proserpina Reservoir (around he has built a residential suburb of Merida and place of leisure in summer) that have traditionally been considered of Roman origin, although some scholars now argue its medieval origins.

Protected sites

Source:UNESCO

DSC07704- MERIDA, Spanien — HerryB @ Flickr

DSC07701- MERIDA, Spanien — HerryB @ Flickr

DSC07707- MERIDA, Spanien — HerryB @ Flickr

Templo de Diana.Mérida (Badajoz) — Aurora Mayorga @ Flickr

21032016-DSCF5880 — Ramón Pérez Niz @ Flickr

_MG_4112_pano — wsifrancis @ Flickr

Mérida_2015 10 17_3512 — HBarrison @ Flickr

Teatro romano de Mérida panor_def.jpg — jamebla @ Flickr

Augusta Emerita Theatrum — ARBADAKARBA @ Flickr