Mérida Valley

Address: Mérida, Province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain

Website: https://www.merida.es

Mérida is a city in Extremadura, western Spain, founded as the Roman colony Emerita Augusta in 25 BC and later the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. It contains one of the most complete sets of Roman ruins in Spain, many preserved in situ.

A large Roman theatre and amphitheatre, a well-preserved Roman bridge, temples and an extensive network of public buildings and mosaics; the National Museum of Roman Art houses many of the artefacts excavated locally. The archaeological complex covers large parts of the city and is visited for its exceptional concentration of Roman urban structures.

The city was developed under Roman imperial patronage and continued as an important urban centre through Late Antiquity and the medieval period, with successive layers of occupation. Systematic excavations and conservation in the 20th century revealed and helped preserve the Roman ensemble now open to visitors.

Mérida lies in the Guadiana river valley in Extremadura, roughly 70 kilometres west of Badajoz and about 250 kilometres west-northwest of Madrid, set on a gentle plain with the archaeological sites integrated into the modern city.

• Founding date: Founded as the Roman colony Emerita Augusta in 25 BC, it later became the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania and preserves numerous monumental remains.
• World Heritage status: Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 for its outstanding Roman archaeological ensemble concentrated in and around the city.

What to See#

• Roman Theatre: Roman Theatre - large semicircular theatre dating to the late 1st century BC used for public performances and one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in Spain.
• Amphitheatre: Roman Amphitheatre - an oval arena adjoining the theatre used for spectacles; remains include seating and substructures from the Roman period.
• Temple of Diana and Roman bridge: Temple of Diana and the Roman bridge - prominent Roman-period urban structures in the city centre, part of the extensive archaeological ensemble.
• National Museum of Roman Art: National Museum of Roman Art - museum housing a large collection of Roman mosaics, sculptures and artifacts excavated from Mérida and the surrounding province.

Mérida (Extremadura) is accessible by road via the Autovía A-66 (Ruta de la Plata) and by national/regional buses (ALSA and others) that link Mérida with Madrid, Seville and other cities. Renfe regional trains also serve Mérida railway station.

The city’s main Roman sites (the theatre, amphitheatre and bridge) are within easy walking distance of the town centre and the railway/bus stations.

• Visit Mérida's Roman Theatre and nearby Amphitheatre early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid midday heat and crowds and to get better photography light on the ruins.
• Combine the archaeological sites with the Museo Nacional de Arte Romano (close to the Roman Theatre) in one visit - check opening hours in advance (some sites have mid-day closures) and consider buying tickets early in the day to avoid lines.
• If your trip can include it, attend the city's summer classical theatre events at the Roman Theatre (Festival de Teatro Clásico) - performances sell out, so book tickets and accommodation well ahead.