In our search for beautiful places, full of charm and with a lot of history, we couldn’t help but make a stop along the way to visit Merida, a beautiful and very welcoming city, where every corner is special (almost literally).
Thus, after getting to know other cities in depth such as Palencia, Soria, Teruel, Cuenca, Melilla, Logroño or Seville, today we are going to Extremadura to discover its capital.
Roman theatre
If Mérida is characterized by something, it is its Roman ruins. And it is that as we well know (or else we tell you) it was founded as a Roman colony by order of the emperor Octavio Augusto as a retreat for veteran soldiers, its Roman name being Emeritus Augusta.
Thus, one of its great monuments is the Roman Theater, which is a true marvel that is worth admiring and also taking the opportunity to see some of the performances that are still being done today.
diana temple
Turning a corner while walking through the pedestrian streets of the center of Mérida and coming across a vestige of the Roman Empire is something very normal and that is how we will find the diana temple. It is the only Roman religious building that has survived in Mérida in an acceptable state of conservation and, the truth is that it is beautiful. Since 1993 it has been declared a World Heritage Site as part of the Mérida Archaeological Site.
Hotel Ilunion Merida Palace
Roman amphitheater
As advice that we will give you if you are thinking of visiting Mérida is that you do not do it in the middle of summer because it is really very hot. Of course, in spring it is a true marvel because it does not matter to walk in the sun and to be able to visit other jewels such as the Amphitheater that is also spectacularly preserved and that was inaugurated in the year 8 a. C. to celebrate gladiatorial games and fights between animals or between men and animals.
arch of trajan
Another of the obligatory photos is next to the arch of trajan which, originally, is located on the Kardo Maximus -the main road of the Roman city that crossed it from North to South- and perhaps gave access to a sacred precinct that would precede a temple dedicated to imperial worship. Today we found it very close to the main square and it is beautiful.
National Museum of Roman Art
Since we are immersed in flour and discovering ancient history, we have to enter this Museum where we will see unique pieces in a fantastic state of conservation, with priceless jewels and, furthermore, it is also very beautiful inside.
Roman bridge
We cannot go to Mérida and not walk around the Roman Bridge that crosses the Guadiana River. The photos, we assure you, will be spectacular.
The Basilica of Santa Eulalia
As a good patron of the city (and perpetual mayoress) she has her basilica, which is also considered a very important nucleus of the birth of Christianity in the Iberian Peninsula. A beautiful building that you have to visit.
Spain Square
And, as we know that so much dedication to culture, history and knowledge is also exhausting, we recommend you sit in Plaza España to enjoy the views and a good beer.
Of course, do not think that the thing ends here because Mérida is one of those cities that surprises you at every step and where we can find wonderful places and people.
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Photos | Lmbuga (Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez), Jordi Vich Navarro, Xosema, Benjamín Núñez González, Tomás Fano, Ángel M. Felicísimo
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