Mérida

Mérida is the capital of the Extremadura region in Spain. 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; 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).