The city of Merida was founded in 25 BCE as Augusta Emerita, and became the capital of the province of Lusitania. Built as a retirement city for military veterans, it is the largest Roman city in Spain. The modern city is built on top of the Roman city, and the surviving ruins are the most extensive in the country.

Just walking down the strees of Merida, one will come upon ruins of the ancient city. The Forum here, the Temple of Diana there. The Theater and Amphitheater are adjacient to each other on the north side of the modern city.. Not far away, are an acqueduct and a circus. This circus is the best preserved anywhere in the world. Elsewhere one can see the remains of a roman house, two acqueducts, and a bridge still used for pedestrian traffic.