Art and culture
Roman amphitheatre of Mérida
The setting for fights between gladiators and wild beasts in Roman times, a large part of the structure of this amphitheatre is preserved intact today.
See where the Romans were entertained
Location and Contact:
- Contact person: Consorcio Ciudad Monumental de Mérida
- Tel.:+34 924 00 49 08
- Tel.:+34 924 33 07 22
- Fax: +34 924 00 49 16
- Email: informacion@consorciomerida.org
- Email: difusion@consorciomerida.org
- Website address: www.consorciomerida.org
- Website address: turismomerida.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeridaConsorcioDeLaCiudadMonumental
- Opening times
April-September: 9am - 9pm.
October-March: 9am - 6:30pm.
- Fee
Normal €12, reduced €6, groups €7.
More info: tickets
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The setting for fights between gladiators and wild beasts in Roman times, a large part of the structure of this amphitheatre is preserved intact today.
This monument forms part of the Roman complex of Mérida, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Inaugurated in the year 8 BC, it was the venue for truly popular spectacles such as fights between gladiators and wild beasts, was even more popular than the theatre and had a capacity for 15,000 to 16,000 spectators.
Adjoining the theatre, but separated from it by a road that connects the two buildings, it was constructed using less resources than, but a similar technique to the theatre.
Today one can see the ima cavea (inferior section of the stands) and some parts of the media cavea, as well as presence of four monumental doorways that connected the outside to the arena by large corridors.
The tribune has been restored, that is, the area from where those who financed the games could enjoy them, as well as a platform that rises up between the arena and the stands.
On your visit you will be able to see all the details and imagine you are in a living Roman amphitheatre, with the wild beasts, gladiators and the clamour of the Romans shouting from the stands.
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- Origin:
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- Romanisation (BC)
- Construction:
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- Amphitheatre
- Art period:
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- Romanisation
- Period in history:
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- Various periods
- Various styles
- Official name :
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- World Heritage Site
Gallery:
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