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Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida
Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party	Spain
Type	Cultural
Criteria	iii, iv
Reference	664
Region**	Europe and North America
	Inscription history
Inscription	1993 (17th Session)
	* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.; ** Region as classified by UNESCO.

Mérida
Mérida
	— Municipality —
; Flag	; Coat of arms
	Mérida, Spain location
	; Mérida Location in Spain
	Coordinates: 38°54′N 6°20′W / 38.9°N 6.333°WCoordinates: 38°54′N 6°20′W / 38.9°N 6.333°W
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Extremadura
Province	Badajoz
Comarca	Mérida
Valley	Guadiana
Judicial district	Mérida
Founded	25 BC
	Government
- Alcalde	José Ángel Calle Gragera (2007) (PSOE)
	Area
- Total	865.6 km2 (334.2 sq mi)
Elevation	217 m (712 ft)
	Population (2008)
- Total	55,568
- Density	64.2/km2 (166.3/sq mi)
- Demonym	Emeritenses
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	06800
Official language(s)
Website	Official website

"Mérida" redirects here. For other uses, see Merida.

Mérida (Extremaduran: Méria) is the capital of the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It has a population of 55,568 (2008).

[edit] History

It was founded in the year 25 BC, with the name of Emerita Augusta (meaning the bachelors – discharged soldiers – of the army of Augustus, who founded the city; the name Mérida is an evolution of this) by order of Emperor Augustus, to protect a pass and a bridge over the Guadiana river. Two veteran legions were the former settlers: Ⅴ Alaudae and Ⅹ Gemina. The city became the capital of Lusitania province, and one of the most important cities in the Roman empire. Mérida preserves more important ancient Roman monuments than any other city in Spain (including a triumphal arch of the age of Trajan); because of this, the "Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida" is a World Heritage site.

During the Visigothic period the city maintained much of its splendor, especially under the sixth-century domination of the bishops, when it was the capital of Hispania. Bishop Paul brought the diocese great wealth, making it the wealthiest in Spain. Bishop Fidelis rebuilt the cathedral, and under the bishop Masona it became the site of the first recorded hospital in Spain.

[edit] Buildings and structures

Among the remaining Roman monuments are the Puente Romano, a bridge over the Guadiana River that is still used by pedestrians, and the longest of all existing Roman bridges^[1]; an important fortification to defend the bridge, and later used by the Moors, called Alcazaba; the Temple of Diana; the remains of the Forum, including the Arch of Trajan; the remains of the Circus Maximus; the Acueducto de los Milagros (aqueduct); a villa called the Villa Mitreo; the Embalse de Proserpina and Cornalvo reservoirs; the Circus, the Amphitheater, and the Teatro Romano, where a summer festival of Classical theater is presented, usually with versions of Greco-Roman classics or modern plays set in ancient times. One can also visit the Morerías archaeological site, Santa Maria's Cathedral, and many other locations all around the city to watch digging in progress, as well as the Museo Nacional de Arte Romano (designed by Rafael Moneo).

There are several notable buildings built recently, such as the Escuela de la Administración Pública (Public Administration College), the Consejerías y Asamblea de Junta de Extremadura (councils and parliament of Extremadura), the Agencía de la Vivienda de Extremadura (Housing Agency of Extremadura), the Biblioteca del Estado (State Library), the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones (auditorium), the Factoría de Ocio y Creación Joven (cultural and leisure center for youth), the Complejo Cultural Hernán Cortés (cultural center), the Ciudad Deportiva (sports city), the Universidad de Mérida (Mérida University), the Confederación Hidrografica del Guadiana (Guadiana Hydrographic Confederation designed by Rafael Moneo), the Puente Lusitania (Lusitania Bridge over the Guadiana River designed by Santiago Calatrava), the Palacio de Justicia (Justice Hall), etc.

Demographic evolution of Mérida, Spain between 1991 and 2008
1991	1996	2001	2006	2008
49.284	51.830	50.271	53.915	55.568

[edit] Miscellaneous

The cities of Mérida in Venezuela, capital of Mérida State, and Mérida in Yucatán, Mexico, were named after Mérida in Spain. A square in Mérida called the Glorieta de las Méridas del Mundo (Square of the Méridas of the World) contains an obelisk commemorating the three sister cities.

Mérida UD is the principal football team of the city.

Mérida is home to such cultural luminaries as the conductor Alberto Porro Carmona "Al Carmona", the pianist Estéban Sánchez, or the painter Mikelo.

[edit] Gallery

Roman Theatre in Mérida.	Grandstand of the roman theatre.	The Roman Circus in Mérida (Circus Maximus).	The Roman Gladiator Arena's grandstands.
The 'roman' Aqueduct of the Miracles.	The 'roman' Aqueduct of Rabo de Buey.	The Temple of Diana (Mérida), in the Roman Forum.	El Puente Romano, is the longest of all existing Roman bridges^[1].
One of the statues inside the roman theatre.	The Roman Forum.	Roman streets well-preserved in Mérida.	The 'roman' Aqueduct of San Lázaro.
Basilica of Santa Eulalia (IV century A.C.).	Alcazaba of Mérida, built in the year 835 A.C.	Santa Maria's Cathedral(1230-1579).	Palace of the Presidency of the extremaduran government.
Our lady of La Antigua Church (XV-XVI centuries).	Santa Clara Church.	Roman Art National Museum in Mérida.	A detail of the Theodosius Missorium, Mérida.