I cannot explain how important Merida is. After they moved from Cordoba, Merida was Rome's "New" (25BC) capital city in Spain. Originally named Emerita Augustus it probably has the best Roman remains almost anywhere. It's theatres, arenas and triumphal architecture are still to be found throughout, most impressively the bridge which brings you into the city. Photo in previous blog entry. It has now been closed to traffic but in 1992 I rode my Harley across it. I think, having been to Rome, last January, that there are more evident Roman remains in Merida. You cannot scrape back a square metre of soil without revealing something. Here are some general photos.
Emperor Trajans Arch, Amphitheatre Entrance, Aquaduct.
Somewhere along the way of all this history I passed the 200km mark. Aches and pains abound at the moment and I hope that it is just the body getting used to it's new role. In any case the next few days are quite short, which is probably a good thing!
