Roman Theatre, Merida, Spain

The first excavations of the Roman theatre carried out in a systematic way, only started in 1910 with the work of archaeologist José Mélida. The excavations, which lasted for many years, were arduous due to the lack of financial resources and technical means. They revealed columns, sections of cornices, statues and other materials scattered around broken, suggesting some sort of cataclysm. The reconstruction works took place decades later in 1960-70.
The theatre was built by order of Marcus Agrippa, the son-in-law of emperor Caeser Augustus, in 16BC. The facade of the building was an architectural and artistic masterpiece of blue and rose columns and magnificently carved statues of Ceres, Pluto, Proserpine, robed figures and emperors in military attire, which are exhibited in the National Museum of Roman Art nearby (the ones in the theatre are modern copies for visual effect).
The theatre had a capacity of 6,000 spectators.

Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. 25th Oct. to Mar.)
Entrance fee:€12 (together with the amphitheatre); €15 the monumental circuit.

 Back to Merida












Local: Plaza Margarita Xirgu, s/n, 6800 Mérida, Badajoz, Espanha

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