Colonia Augusta Emerita (Merida) |
Merdia
was founded in the year 25 BC for the veterans of the legions V Alaudae and X Gemina.
Probably it existed already a local settlement
. The city was
at a strategic junction. From here led streets to Olisipo (Lisbon), Augusta Bracara (Braga) and Asturica Augusta (Astorga).
After
the subdivision of the Iberian peninsula in 3 provinces Merida became capital of the province Lusitania.
In this connection were built some
monumental buildings: The theater (16
to 15 BC), the amphitheater (8 BC) and the circus (early 1st century AD).
At the beginning of the 5th century the
Suebi invaded this part of the peninsula and made Merdia to their capital.
Today still many remains of the roman Merida are to see:
| What | Summer (June to September) | Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Theater, amphitheater, amphitheater house, Mithraeum house and columbarium, circus, Santa Eulalia Basilica, Moreria (roman houses and later buildings) | 9.30 to 13.45 o'clock / 17.00 to 19.15 o'clock | 9.30 to 13.45 o'clock / 16.00 to 18.15 o'clock |
| Moorish fortress (with roman excavations) | 9.00 to 13.45 o'clock / 17.00 to 19.15 o'clock | 9.00 to 13.45 o'clock / 16.00 to 18.15 o'clock |
| Aqueducts, bridges, Decumanus maximum's, fora (Province and municipal forum), temple of Diana, Trajan's arches, reservoirs (outside of the city) | freely accessible | freely accessible |