Mithraeum House (Casa del Mitreo) is an impressive Roman house just outside the city walls of Mérida, built at the end of the 1st century and the beginning of the 2nd century AC. The name Mithraeum House is due to the artefacts found there relating to the cult of Mitra. The house was discovered during […]
The Archaeological heritage sites of Mérida
The city of Emerita Augusta was founded in 25 BC by Augustus, to resettle honourably discharged soldiers from the Roman army from two veteran legions of the Cantabrian Wars (the Legio V Alaudae and Legio X Gemina). The city became the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. Today the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida is […]
Amphitheatre of Mérida
The Amphitheatre of Mérida (Anfiteatro de Mérida) was completed in 8 BC in the Roman colony of Emerita Augusta, present-day Mérida, Spain. It was built for gladiatorial fights and the hunting and killing of wild animals, known as venationes. The amphitheatre is elliptical in shape and is 126m along the major axis. Its design consists of […]
Roman peristyle garden
A large porticoed garden is behind the Roman theatre stage wall (scaenae frons) in Mérida. Above all, this peristyle garden served as a recreation and rest area. Statues of members of the Imperial family adorn the niches within the surrounding walls. What is a peristyle in Roman architecture The peristyle is an open courtyard or […]
Acueducto de los Milagros, Mérida
The Mérida aqueduct is popularly known as Acueducto de Los Milagros. This translates as the Miraculous Aqueduct. Hardly surprising due to the incredible feat of engineering, its stunning appearance and amazing state of conservation. The aqueduct supplied water to the Roman Colony of Emerita Augusta, now Mérida, Spain from the Albuera Reservoir, approximately 5 km […]
Roman Theatre, Mérida
The Roman Theatre (Teatro Romano) in Mérida, constructed in the years 16 and 15 BC, is Europe’s best conserved, and after restoration, the only Roman theatre which continues to be used today for live theatre. The Roman Theatre is next to the Amphitheatre, both of which are located on the slope of a hill. Building […]
Alcazaba of Mérida
Abderramán II built the Alcazaba of Mérida in 835 AD. It is the oldest preserved Muslim defensive fortress in the Iberian Peninsula. The purpose of the Alcazaba was: To serve as the seat of the Umayyad administrative units The residence of the local governor Controlled access to the city from the Roman bridge The refuge […]
Templo de Diana, Mérida
The Templo de Diana (Temple of Diana) is a Roman temple built late in the 1st century BC, in the city of Augusta Emerita. At the time, this was the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania, currently Mérida in Spain. Initially, the temple was dedicated to Rome and the Emperor. It wasn’t until the […]
Castillo Gibralfaro, Malaga
Castillo Gibralfaro stands on Mount Gibralfaro on the southern coast of Spain, overlooking the city of Malaga, the Alcazaba, and the Mediterranean Sea. The views are amazing! You’ll be taking loads of photos! Its origins date back to the Phoenicians when a lighthouse was on the site. The current name is derived from Gebel-faro, Arabic […]