Culture of Merida. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Historical monuments of various periods have been preserved in Merida. An outstanding religious site is Basílica de Santa Eulali. It is one of the region's oldest churches, the first religious building was erected on this site in the 5th century. During the early Middle Ages, the city experienced several major military clashes. As a result, the church was completely destroyed.

It was possible to restore it only in the 13th century. The old church has been active since then and now it attracts many pilgrims. It is of great value from an architectural point of view. The building retained decoration elements of different historical periods. The entrance to the basilica is decorated with carved columns, and its walls are lined with massive stones. The interior is notable for unusual decoration elements, as well as an interesting collection of artworks and religious artifacts.

Merida is famous for its ancient structures, which have been preserved since Roman times. In the historic district, one can see the majestic Temple of Diana striking with its impressive scale. The height of the temple is 40 meters and the width is 19 meters. This ancient temple was built by the order of Caesar Augustus, and modern researchers have managed to restore it almost completely. The temple rises on a stone pedestal, surrounded by rows of carved columns. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The Arch of Trajan, a large stone gate that served as the main entrance to the city thousands of years ago, has also been preserved in Merida's historic district. In ancient times, the 15-meter-high arch was built from massive granite blocks. The exact date of its construction remains unknown. Today, the stone gate is part of one of the historic streets and is surrounded by buildings of later periods.

An essential part of sightseeing tours is a visit to the Roman circus of Mérida. In ancient times, the arena with a length of about 400 meters was used for chariot racing. It could accommodate up to 30,000 spectators at a time. Now the ancient structure is located in the middle of an important archaeological area. Archaeologists have been working here for several decades, and you can see their finds in a museum located on-site.

Nearby is Domus del Mitreo, a house that was discovered by researchers in the 60s of the last century. The sumptuous antique palace was once distinguished by the huge size and rich decoration. Researchers have managed to find several skillful frescoes and mosaics, which are now put on display. The most valuable find in this area is the fresco depicting the cosmic landscape.

The most recognizable landmark of Merida is the Roman amphitheater. Unlike many other ancient monuments in the city, the date of its construction is precisely determined. It was built in the years 15-16 AD, the Roman rulers used the theater for important public and entertainment events. With the advent of the Moors, the amphitheater was partially destroyed and desolate. Work on its restoration began only in 1910. In the next 50 years, it was possible to restore the main stage of the theater and part of the surrounding buildings. Today, the ancient theater is one of the main cultural stages of the city that became a permanent venue for theatrical productions. Since 1993, the International Classical Theater Festival has been held in the ancient theater. During daily tours, tourists can visit the ancient stage and look into the hidden corners of the amphitheater.

One of Merida's most incredible ancient monuments is the Roman bridge Puente Romano, which was laid across the Guadiana River more than two thousand years ago. This bridge is the only one on the continent that has managed to survive such a long time. It is noteworthy that it continues to be used for its intended purpose even now. The 755-meter-long antique bridge has 62 arches. Now the bridge is open for pedestrians and offers beautiful views of the river.

A historical monument of a later period is the Alcazaba Fortress built by Arab conquerors in the first half of the 9th century. The powerful granite block structure has been perfectly preserved after a thousand years. The fortress is surrounded by impregnable 10-meter-high walls. The architecture of the fortress is quite complicated, featuring as many as 25 towers. The entire territory of the historical monument is available for tours.