Some Curiosities Of The Roman Theater In Mérida
The Roman theater is the great monument that has survived to this day from the Roman colony of Emerita Augusta, the former name of the current capital of Extremadura. A monument that must be visited in the city to admire its imposing architecture. We want to discover some curiosities of the Roman theater of Mérida, a building with more than 2,000 years of history.
Origins of the Roman theater of Mérida
One of the curiosities of the Roman theater in Mérida is that you can still read on the stones of the building that its inauguration took place between 16 and 15 BC.
And not only that, but its construction was promoted by one of the Roman names most linked to architecture: the general and consul Agrippa. This was one of the closest collaborators of Emperor Augustus and, in turn, the character who gives its name to one of the most charismatic buildings of antiquity: the Pantheon of Agrippa in Rome.
More about the history of the Roman theater in Mérida
That first building of the Roman theater in Mérida already underwent modifications in ancient times. Especially during the reign of Trajan, by the way, an emperor born in Italica, the Roman colony that gave rise to Seville.
It was the emperor Trajan who had the great stage front of the theater built at the beginning of the second century. It is a huge multi-storey construction that exceeds 17 meters in height and 63 in length.
Curiosities of the Roman theater of Mérida: the abandonment
However, the splendor of the Emerita Augusta colony gradually declined and, finally, the Roman theater in Mérida was abandoned around the 4th century.
And not only was it abandoned, it was even covered with tons of dirt. In this way, only the highest part of his bleachers was visible. Some remains in the shape of seats that the people of Mérida called “The Seven Chairs.”
The recovery of the Roman theater in Mérida
That part of the stands was always the witness that under the surface there was a great archaeological site, but it was not until the beginning of the 20th century that excavations were undertaken so that it would see the light again. Thus arose an impressive theater, with a grandstand that had a capacity for about 6,000 spectators.
Besides that, its scenic front is spectacular, with two floors supported by Corinthian columns, where large marble sculptures also appeared. Some of them are kept there as replicas.
For conservation reasons, the original sculptures are exhibited and safeguarded in the neighboring Museum of Roman Art, a postmodernist building in which the prestigious architect Rafael Moneo paid his particular tribute to the historic architecture of Mérida.
The International Festival of Classical Theater of Mérida
But the recovery of the Roman theater in Mérida has not only served to make it a historical monument that is used as a tourist emblem of the city. In addition, today it continues to fulfill its functions as a theater.
Especially in the summer months, since the International Classical Theater Festival of Mérida has been held here since 1933 , one of the most prestigious in the world of its kind.
More Roman monuments in Mérida
We could tell many details about the building and more curiosities of the Roman theater in Mérida. A similar construction and more than two millennia of history give much of themselves. But with just one piece of information we encourage you to visit it. And that fact is that this theater has been a World Heritage Site since 1993.
The truth is that it is a large part of the archaeological site of Mérida that Unesco declared a World Heritage Site, since the sites and buildings that Mérida has are fascinating and make up a most attractive Roman route through the city.
In this way, we can follow an itinerary that takes us to the theater, but also to places such as the annex amphitheater, the Temple of Diana, the circus or the aqueduct of San Lázaro. A whole history lesson.
