Merida in Exremadura

The capital of Extremadura, Merida has around 54,000 inhabitants.

It is one of the most famous Roman capitals of the Iberian peninsula which has some of the best preserved Roman ruins in Europe.

The town has long been recognised as the traditional boundary between Moorish and Christian Spain. The town was often passed between Moorish / Christian / Portuguese control and like Rome itself, the traces of those ancient civilizations crop up in the strangest places making it a fabulous place to walk around and indulge yourself in the past.

Merida Attractions:

• The National Museum of Roman Art – opened in 1986 it displays Roman statues and other antiquities

• The Roman Theatre – seating 6,000 people this was built in 18 B.C and stages plays during June and July

• The Roman Amphitheatre and the Circus Maximus

• Temples of Diana and Mars – in the centre of town, a rather odd looking Roman ruin consisting of several columns

• The Aqueducts – over 5 miles of them run through here with Acueducto de los Milagroson to the nort-west feeding two man-made lakes.

• The Alcazaba – great views from the top, this was constructed in 835 A.D from the ruins of a Roman fort

• Santa Maria’s Cathedral

• The Roman Bridge – the longest in Roman Spain – now a footbridge over the Guadiana river

• Tapas!

Eating in Merida

Lunch and dinner, as is normal in Spain, is served very late when compared with other countries. If you want to eat before 9pm then your best bet is to try the many tapas bars in town, as they tend to open around noon.

Tapas are small plates of appetisers, which are normally eaten standing at the bar and are meant to fill the gap between meals but are more often than not eaten as snacks whilst people go from bar to bar drinking beer or wine. Tapas are sometimes given free with (your first) drinks but the more tasty ones will cost albeit for a quite modest price. Tapas bars are generally involve a social gathering where you can meet friendly people who have just come along for a chat.