Roman Around Merida

Merida is one of Spain's 15 World Heritage Cities (different than World Heritage Sites, although the World Heritage Cities (WHCs) contain World Heritage Sites (WHSs).

Going to Merida is essentially going to an old Roman outpost in the Empire.  There are (at least) 14 Roman ruins to visit scattered around the town.  Even the restaurant we had dinner in has a plexiglass floor with views from many tables of Roman ruins.  The wine cellar is built into the ruins.

So, after checking into our hotel, we got what the Spanish refer to as a "Touristic Map" of Merida, with the Roman sites all walkable from the hotel (the further away was about 1.2 miles).

The first two sights we visited were the House of Mithraeum, a Roman house with mosaics, remains of frescoes.  The ruins are covered to protect from the weather, and the elevated walkway affords the visitors a view of the rooms from above.  There are also helpful information panels along the walkway.

The house was built around the end of the 1st century and finished at the beginning of the 2nd century.  It is built around three courtyards, so it is clear that the family was wealthy.

A wide range of mosaics in just one room.

A winged cherub mosaic.

One of the rooms of the house.

One of the fresco decorations.

This flower isn't 1900 years old, but is

pretty enough to be added to the photos.

Just up a path from the House of the Mithraeum are Colambariums, better described as Roman funeraries -- well-preserved tombs and mausoleums.  There were more to see, but I was itching to get to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Roman Theatre.  Regular readers of the blog know by now that "UNESCO Means You Must Go!"  Readers new to the blog will get to know that saying soon enough.

One of the Roman tombs.