Mérida is arguably the greatest Roman archaeological site in Spain and one of the finest examples of Roman heritage anywhere in Europe. Founded in 25 BC as Augusta Emerita, it became the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania and a major centre of administration, culture and trade.
Mérida is arguably the greatest Roman archaeological site in Spain and one of the finest examples of Roman heritage anywhere in Europe. Founded in 25 BC as Augusta Emerita, it became the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania and a major centre of administration, culture and trade. The city preserves an extraordinary collection of Roman monuments, including a magnificent theatre, amphitheatre, circus, temples, bridges and aqueducts. Unlike many sites that preserve only ruins, Mérida gives visitors a real sense of what life was like in a Roman city. Travellers can spend several days exploring the remains before heading into the surrounding Extremadura countryside, ideal for cycling, walking, birdwatching and campsite-based adventures.