Merida Spain

Merida, Spain is the capital of Extremadura. In ancient times it was the centre of Roman culture in southwestern Europe. Because of this, there are still many remains from this era to be found in Merida.

Merida Spain

After Rome, Merida, Spain is also the city with the most Roman sights in Europe. Mérida also has a modern museum of Roman art where you can get a good impression of the Roman culture of that time. We want to mention the Roman bridge, the longest of its kind over the river Guadiana.

Also, the Roman circus and the hippodrome but especially the Roman theatre is the showpiece of the old Mérida. It is by no means all there is to see, so you can easily spend a whole day here.

Merida, heir of a wealthy Roman past.

The theatre, amphitheatre and temple dedicated to the goddess Diana make this former capital of the Roman Lusitania one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Spain and has earned it a World Heritage Declaration.

This immense Roman legacy is documented in the National Museum of Roman Art, where you can explore the history of the city through an invaluable collection of objects found in Merida and the surrounding area.

Many cultural activities take place in the capital of Extremadura, such as the International Classical Theater Festival, which takes place every summer and is one of the most important of its kind in Spain.

The history of Merida has close ties with Roman expansion through the Iberian Peninsula. The foundation as a city took place in 25 BC, under the reign of Emperor Augustus, whose first name, Emérita Augusta, was born.

Roman Soldiers

Fired soldiers of the 5th and 10th Legions settled there. Rome rewarded them for their participation in the Cantabrian Wars with lands on the fertile plains of the Guadiana River. At the same time, this starting city had great strategic value, as two different Roman routes met: the Silver Route (Vía de la Plata), which connected Merida and Astorga with the Roman road that connected Toledo and Lisbon.

Mérida was the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania, and it became one of the most thriving cities of the empire. It was also an important religious centre during the first years of the spread of Christianity. Under Visigothic rule, the town remained the centre of the city as the capital of the kingdom. But this title was later assigned to Toledo. With the arrival of the Arabs, Merida became a fortress until the Christian King Alfonso IX recaptured the city in the 13th century when it then became the basis for the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword. Roman legacy The incredible history of Merida can be seen in the monumental and archaeological ensemble that preserves it, one of the best kept in Spain.

Roman Legacy

The Roman legacy is still present in almost every small corner of the city. The Roman theatre is one of the most typical constructions. Founded in the first century BC, the theatre can accommodate 6,000 people. Two rows of columns, decorated with statues of deities and imperial figures dominate the stage. Also, it is Amphitheater, a scene where gladiators struggled with animals. This building preserves some of its original elements, such as the stands, the coffin and the gallery. Both areas come alive every summer with the celebration of the Merida Classical Theater Festival, one of the most important of its kind in Spain.

You will find The Temple of Diana and the Arch of Trajan in the centre of the town. On the outskirts of the city are ambitious Roman civil projects such as the Roman Bridge, which crosses the Guadiana River. The bridge stands out for its monumental size – 800 meters long, with 60 arches – which at the time made it one of the largest in the empire. It is also worth mentioning the Aqueduct of Los Milagros that crossed the Abarregas River and watered the city from the Roman dam of Proserpina, is still preserved. Experience the journey through the Roman era of Merida in the National Museum of Roman Art.

More influences

With more than 36,000 objects found in Merida and the surrounding area, plus the visible panels, the district tells the history of the city and its Roman legacy. It shows what daily life was like in a Roman colony. Arab influences In 713 the Arabs conquered large parts of Spain and destroyed Mérida. In 1230, during the Reconquista, the Christian troops under Alfons IX of León managed to recapture Mérida. This domination has also left its mark on the city. Opposite the Guadiana River is the most important of all, the Alcazaba (Citadel). A Roman aljibe (underground reservoir) has been preserved in the interior of the Arab fort, rebuilt and decorated with Visigoth pilasters.

Gastronomy in Merida Spain

The cuisine from Malaga shares many dishes with the rest of the region, such as lamb chops (a stew made with lamb, onions, garlic and peppers) and Iberian pork products, especially sausages and ham. Other typical dishes are gazpacho (a cold soup made with tomato, pepper, cucumber, garlic, etc.), Ajoblanco (another can of soup, similar to gazpacho but white, made with garlic, almonds and bread), rabbit and partridge. All bars and restaurants in Merida serve these and many more delicacies, some as starters, such as pork ears, wild asparagus and cheese. To go with the food, Badajoz offers excellent white wines.

Best time to visit Merida, Spain

Weather in Merida

Temperature

Ordinary temperature levels in Merida differ substantially. Thinking about moisture, temperature levels feel good much of the year, yet warm in the summertime and also cold in the winter months with a reduced opportunity of rainfall many of the year. If you’re looking for the hottest time to go to Merida, the most popular months are August, July, as well as after that June.
The means we experience climate isn’t all concerning temperature level. Greater temperature levels influence us a lot more with greater moisture, and also chillier temperature levels feel puncturing with high winds.

The wind in Merida is generally tranquil. The windiest month is March, adhered to by April and also February.

Visit Merida over the year

Fall (September with November).

Autumn day-to-day highs vary from 90.7 ° F (32.6 ° C) as well as 59.2 ° F( 15.1 ° C), which will certainly really feel comfy offered the moisture and also wind. It rainfalls or snows a considerable quantity: 3 to 5 days monthly. Tourist is the second busiest throughout these months as a result of the weather condition, so resorts might be somewhat greater valued.

Winter Season (December with February).
Weather condition is as well cool this time of year in Merida to be satisfying for cosy weather condition vacationers. On standard, it rainfalls or snows a reasonable quantity: continually 5 times per month.

Summer 

If you’re looking for the extremely hottest time to go to Merida, the best months are August, July, and also after that June. If a completely dry climate is what you’re after, the months with the most affordable opportunity for substantial rainfall in Merida are July, August, as well as after that June.

Crowd

The busiest month for tourists in Merida, Spain in February, complied with by January and also October. The middle-year months have a comfy climate with high-temperature levels that are fairly cosy. These months see the least rainfall with 0 to 2 days of rainfall per month.

Rain in Merida

If the completely dry weather condition is what you’re after, the months with the least expensive possibility of considerable rainfall in Merida are July, August, and also after that June. By comparison, it’s most likely to be rainfall or snow in very early January with a standard of 2 days of substantial rainfall the week of January First.

Moisture and Wind

Merida has some moist months, as well as somewhat completely dry months on the contrary period. The very least moist month is July (34% loved one moisture). One of the moistest months is January (74.9%).

The Busiest as well as Least Crowded Months.
The busiest month for tourists in Merida, Spain in February, adhered to by January and also October. Those prepared to see it at these times will likely locate it in the least pricey month.

Summer Season (June with August).
The middle-year months have extremely comfy weather conditions with heat that is fairly cosy. These months see the least rainfall with 0 to 2 days of rainfall monthly.

June– August is a relatively slow-moving period for tourists in Merida.

General Merida Traveling Experience by Period.
Springtime (March with May).
Moisture and also temperature levels integrate to make this period feel modest. Rainfall is rather usual with 3 to 5 days of considerable rainfall per month.