Photos of the Roman City of Mérida Spain Archaeological Sites

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Photos of the Roman City of Mérida Spain Archaeological Sites. The Roman Emerita Augusta n Merida with Roman Amphitheatre, Bridge & Temples. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams. (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of the Roman City of Mérida Spain Archaeological Sites

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Photos of the Roman City of Mérida Spain (Emerita Augusta).

Mérida Spain was founded by Emperor Augustus as Emerita Augusta n Merida in 25 BC. It became the capital of the Roman Province of Lustania in western central Spain.

Emerita was founded by Augustus in 25 BC at the end of his Spanish campaign. It was built for the veteran soldiers of the Legio V Alaudae and Legio X Gemina legions, veterans of the Cantabrian Wars.

The Roman ruins of Emerita Augusta are the most extensive Roman ruins in Spain The well-preserved Roman remains include, a large Roman bridge over the river Guadiana. A Roman amphitheatre, a Roman theatre, a vast circus. The exceptional water-supply system the Romans built is still in use.

Emerita benefited from the rule of the Spanish Emperors Trajan, Hadrian, and Diocletian who endowed it with splendid public buildings. Merida is an excellent example of a provincial Roman imperial capital and typifies the process of Romanisation across the Roman Empire.

The Mérida Roman theatre is in incredible condition. Built from 16 to 15 BC it was dedicated by the consul Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. It was renovated in the late 1st or early 2nd century AD, possibly by the emperor Trajan. Between 330 and 340, during Constantine’s reign, A new walkway was added around the theatre as well as new decorative elements.

With the advent of Christianity theatrical performances were officially declared immoral and stopped. The theatre was abandoned.

The Roman bridge over the River Guardiana spans 792 metres making it one of the largest surviving Roman bridges. The location of the bridge was carefully selected at a ford of the river Guadiana. An island in the middle of the river made the crossing easier to build. In the Roman era the length was extended several times, adding at least five consecutive sections of arches. This kept the bridge open during the periodic flooding of the Guadiana.

Christianity was established there in the 3rd century, and Mérida become the seat of an archbishop. From 457 onwards Mérida came under the control of the Visigoths. It flourished as a Visigoth capital of the provinces, and enjoyed a special role as cultural centre.