- Merida is a city located on the Guadiana and Albarrega rivers in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura in western Spain.
- It was Emerita Augusta, the capital city of the Province of Lusitania. It is a Roman Archeological site noted worldwide for its collection of semi-intact buildings located in the city of Merida, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.
History
- Emerita Augusta was founded in 25 BCE by Augustus (27 BCE-14 CE) to settle the veterans of two legions fighting in the Cantabrian Wars (29-19 BCE), the Legio V Alaudae and the Legio X Gemina.
The Ruins of Roman Emerita Augusta
- Theatre
- The Roman Theatre, which originally seated 6,000 spectators, has been restored to its original condition and is used for festivals.
- Amphitheatre
- The Roman Amphitheatre is also intact.
- Circus
- The area of the Circus is preserved in an enclosed Park, but is not open to visitors.
- Guadiana Roman Bridge
- At 2,598 feet (792m) it is the longest Roman bridge still standing today.
- It carried the Via de la Plata from Seville to Gijon
- Water Supply:
- Proserpina Dam
- Los Milagros Aqueduct
- Castellum aquae, a water distribution point
- Rabo de Buey, the San Lazaro Aqueduct
- Temple of Diana, dedicated to the Cult of the Roman Emperor
- Temple of Concordia
- Trajan Arch
- Mithraeum House
- Forum Gate
- San Lazaro Roman Baths
- Roman Baths of Alange
- Roman Baths and snow pit
- Los Columbarios and part of the Necropolis
Museums
- National Museum of Roman Art
- This archeology Museum holds all the artefacts from Emerita Augusta including well preserved Roman statues and sculptures.
Roman Roads
- Via de la Plata
- Seville-Merida-Gihon
- A roman Road ran to Lisbon
- Where it connected to the Via Lusitanorum.
- A Roman Road ran to Toledo
Roman Theatre, Emerita Augusta