Reference » Wikipedia Articles
Mérida, Spain
Mérida, Spain
 |
Please expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Spanish Wikipedia. (December 2009) After translating, {{Translated|es|Mérida (España)}} must be added to the talk page to ensure copyright compliance.Translation instructions · Translate via Google |
| Mérida | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — Municipality — | |||
|
|||
 |
|||
  Mérida
|
|||
| 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 (2009) | |||
| - Total | 56,395 | ||
| - Density | 65.2/km2 (168.7/sq mi) | ||
| - Demonym | Emeritenses | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Postal code | 06800 | ||
| Official language(s) | |||
| Website | Official website | ||
| 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 (Extremaduran: Méria) is the capital of the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It has a population of 56,395 (2009).
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.
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.
| 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49.284 | 51.830 | 50.271 | 53.915 | 55.568 |
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.
Gallery
.JPG) Roman Theatre in Mérida. |
 Grandstand of the roman theatre. |
 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. |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 O’Connor 1993, pp. 106–107
Sources
- O’Connor, Colin (1993), [Expression error: Missing operand for > Roman Bridges], Cambridge University Press, pp. 106–107, ISBN ISBN 0-521-39326-4
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mérida (Spain) |
- Merida Official Website
- Roman Art National Museum
- Pictures of Roman Merida
- Photos of Merida : roman monuments and other views of the city
- The Marvel of Mérida by The Guardian
|
|||||||
- Categories:
- Articles to be expanded from December 2009
- All articles to be expanded
- Geography articles needing translation from Spanish Wikipedia
- Articles containing Extremaduran language text
- Roman aqueducts outside Rome
- Archaeological sites in Spain
- Municipalities in Badajoz
- Roman sites in Spain
- World Heritage Sites in Spain
- 25 BC establishments
- Roman colonies
- Geography of Extremadura
- Tourism in Spain
History
View article historyMérida, Spain
Mérida, Spain
History
Buildings and structures
Miscellaneous
Gallery
Notes
Sources
External links
