Sightseeing in Merida - what to see. Complete travel guide

The first settlement on the territory of the modern city was founded in 25 BC and was used as a place of life for fired Roman soldiers. In those days the city was called Emerita Augusta in honor of its founder - the Emperor Augustus. Modern Merida attracts visitors by its amazing legacy of ancient times and peaceful atmosphere.

One of the city's main attractions is a suspension bridge with a magnificent panorama of the town. Walk on the bridge and you will reach the old Arab fortress and the Roman city. A theater, which construction took place in 16 BC, is the center of the ancient city. This theater was a gift from the Emperor Augustus to his son-in-law. The theatre is in perfect condition and so even nowadays various performances and presentations are organized in its walls. The hall of the theatre can accommodate 6000 spectators; in summer it hosts the annual Festival of Dramatic Art. One more ancient architectural structure is Amphitheater, which has an unusual elliptical shape. In ancient times there were organized gladiator battles, which usually gathered over 14 thousands of spectators.

National Museum is located just nearby. One of its halls is dedicated to ancient sculptures; there are also halls dedicated to collections of pottery, figurines, coins, bronzes and a collection of archaeological artifacts. Iglesia de Santa Eulalia Church and a chapel near it are among the most important religious sites. Near the city center is located Templo de Diana temple, which construction took place in the 1st century AD. Around the central Plaza Mayor, you can also find the Museum of West gothic art and Santa Clara Monastery. The most modern part of the city is the street of John Lennon. Here you can find best restaurants, major shopping malls and most noisy discos. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

A popular place for walking for the guests of Merida is the ancient bridge over the Albarregas River. It was built about 2,000 years ago and was part of the Silver Way. On this bridge, the silver mined at nearby mines was transported. The length of the bridge is about 100 meters. It is a very attractive place for romantic walks and for admiring the panorama of the city.

On one of the central streets of the city is the Arch of Trajan, whose height is 15 meters. The age of this architectural structure is also about 2 000 years. Originally, the arch functioned as a city gate and was built from wood. The very first wooden arch lasted about 150 years, and in the second century, it was decided to rebuild it. For the construction, the best granite from the local quarries, which was processed using special technology, was used. The guests of Merida can admire the magnificent stone structure even now.

Fans of walks in antique places will have the opportunity to visit the ancient Roman Temple of Diana, which was built at the end of the 1st century, as a gift to the emperor. In the 18th century, the antique temple was transferred to the private ownership of the Countess deo Corvo. It became part of the large-scale complex of her palace. Under the direction of the countess, a reconstruction was carried out in the temple. It was completely restored to its original form.

Lovers of natural attractions in Merida will be invited to visit the unique nature reserve Cornalvo, located in the immediate vicinity of the city. On the territory of this natural reserve, you can see all the common plants that are found in different regions of Spain, and also watch wild animals and birds.

In the vicinity of Merida there are many small cozy cities that managed to preserve their historical charm. In the city of Montijo, there is an ancient cathedral, which stores many religious artifacts. The streets of the city represent a single architectural complex. While walking along them, you can see houses and buildings of different periods.

Equally interesting is the charming town of Trujilljanos with its ancient church and artisan workshops. Each of these workshops is a unique mini-museum in which visitors are always happy to conduct an excursion and learn the national craft. Such craft workshops will be an excellent place to buy memorable gifts.