Introducing Mérida
Mérida, seat of the Junta de Extremadura, the regional government, feels further south. The scent of orange blossom in season and the bright, low houses along the cobbled lanes lend a distinct touch of Andalucía to its centre. Founded as Augusta Emerita in 25 BC for veterans of Rome’s campaigns in Cantabria, it has Spain’s most complete Roman ruins and a magnificent classical museum.
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Difficult to imagine today but, with more than 40, 000 inhabitants, Mérida was the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania, the largest city on the Iberian Peninsula and its political and cultural hub.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Last Minute Easter trip; Are we crazy??
by anillos_de_saturno 21 February 2012
Cáceres, in Extremadura, is lovely city with historic buildings... From Cáceres you can make daytrips to Mérida (great Roman Amphitheatre),…
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RE: Spain - April-May2010
by juvenal 18 December 2009
For Extremadura, search about Mérida, Cáceres, Trujillo, Guadalupe and Plasencia. I loved that region. You could stay in Cáceres and make…
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My vacation report
by spinecracker 16 August 2007
I have just returned from 6 weeks in Spain where I had a very interesting time. I thought I would post some random ramblings. Thanks to…
