Mérida
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Mérida lies in southwestern Spain not far from the Portuguese border and is home to numerous excavations and ancient ruins. Most sights require an entree fee to be paid, but a ticket giving entry to all of them is available. In Roman times the city was known as Augusta Emerita and it was the capital of the Lusitania province. If you're interested in Roman history and architecture, Mérida is a 'must see' place.
Places to Visit
Roman Amphitheatre
The construction of the amphitheatre was planned together with that of the theatre. According to inscriptions found in its interior it was inaugurated in 8 AD.
In the amphitheatre gladiator games and fights between animals and men were held. Excavations and reconstruction started in 1919.
Roman Theatre
Here excavation started in 1910 and since 1933 the annual Festival de Teatro Clasico is held, returning the theatre its original function.
Consul Marco Agripa promoted the construction of the theatre and it was inaugurated in 16 or 15 AD.
In 105 end between 333 and 335 the building was reformed twice, and in 1964 restoration started.
Foro de Augusta Emerita
The Forum was the principal public place in Roman cities. Because Augusta Emarita was the capital of the Lusitiana province two forums were build in the town. One reuniting the public buildings dedicated to the administration of the province was located in the immediate surroundings of the central Square of the Constitution; and the other one municipal which was erected on the junction of the towns two major roads.
Roman Aqueducts
15 km northeast of Mérida the artificial lake of Cornalvo was constructed by the Romans to provide fresh water for the city. An 18 m high dam stretching 200 m was build at the end of the 1st century AD to hold the water. The aqueduct of San Lázaro then transported the water to the city.
Another similar system was build on the other side of town. The aqueduct of Los Milagros is 830 m long and 25 m high.
Alcazaba Árabe
According to an inscription above the access port the construction of the Alcazaba was finished in April 835, making it the oldest Muslim construction in Spain.
Mérida was occupied by the Muslims, leaded by Musa ibn Nusayr, in 713.
The Alcazaba is the only Muslim construction that is conserved in Mérida, although thanks to numerous excavations it is known that there have been lots of Muslim buildings and constructions, build with materials taken from Roman buildings, in Mérida.
The main reason for building the Alcazaba was to protect governors and the dominate the bridge crossing the Guadiana River.
The perimeter of the Alcazaba is 550 m and its walls are 2,70 m thick and 10 m high. Most of its construction material was taken from Roman buildings. 25 towers serve as foundation to keep the walls tumbling. A marvelous collection of Roman artifacts can be seen in the Museum of Roman Art.
There are many hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs in Mérida, as well as several campsites. The city has rail and road connections with the rest of Spain, as well as Portugal. Mérida is on the Guadiana River, 290 km southwest of Madrid.
