The Roman Theatre of Mérida

I really cannot thank Julius Caesar enough for all the time he put into the Roman conquests of Spain. He really put a lot of effort in, and the result is that there are stunning, incredibly well-preserved Roman ruins and history all over Spain. But there are few in such good condition, nor so commonly used, as the Roman Theatre in Mérida, Extremadura. It was constructed in roughly 15 BCE and follows typical Roman theatre construction, meaning that even today, 2002 years later, the acoustics are excellent (even if the seats could be more comfy).

I love that they make full use of the setting, but also merge in a blend of modern lighting and effects that really heightens the experience there. The photo above is from a performance that I went to see this summer, and it was truly incredible.

Historical monuments around

There is also a stack of other historical monuments to visit in Mérida, with the huge colourful aqueduct that you can see above, and the Roman bridge that you can see below. The Acueducto de los Milagros (Aqueduct of Miracles) originally brought water from a river almost five kilometres away, and stands more than 80 feet high in a green and spacious park. The bridge below is 800 metres long and has been standing in that exact spot for close to 2000 years. It is actually the longest ancient bridge still complete and functional in the world!

The Roman Theatre of Mérida, as well as its surroundings, are definitely worth a visit while in the area of Extremadura. Get to visit the stunning, incredibly well-preserved Roman ruins and history all over Spain.