Mérida, about an hour from Cáceres by train, is something I really looked forward to seeing while in Extremadura (the province). Why? Because it was the Roman capital for the Roman province (which included Portugal)! All things Roman! How can I not get excited?
We went there Thursday the 23rd. It was cooler and windy but the skies were clear. The first stop was at the Roman Amphitheatre and Theatre which are right next to each other and you get one ticket to see both. Below are pictures from these two landmarks (a later post will include the rest of Mérida - I'm trying to limit how many photos end up in each post).
This is the ampitheatre. It is known as the most well-preserved one in the world. Essentially, it's the place where the gladiators and animals fought and blood ran. Very exciting entertainment. You can see Emily's hand pointing something out as she explains some aspect of the place.
This shows the southern entrance which is opposite the one in the previous picture. Colin is taking a picture and Rachel is posing prettily.
This is one of the rooms off the side of the northern entrance. It was probably where the gladiators prepped. Rachel and Sarah demonstrate how that was done.
Since I'm only posting pictures from my camera, there are very few of me. This is in some crevice near the southern entrance (notice my new hat and pashmina).
This is from above the southern entrance, just before the announcement that the place was closing in fifteen minutes.
First glimpse of the theatre (which was decidedly much more posh than the amphtitheatre but not as popular). The center arch is the back of the stage.
One side of the stage (the side closer to the amphitheatre). After this quick glance, we hurried out to the entrance. They normally wouldn't re-admit people who had been there in the morning, but we got a promise that we would be let back in after lunch (and we were).
After lunch: the toilets!
These columns, in the area behind the stage, were completely submerged in dirt that had accumulated over the centuries and has recently been excavated. The area includes the toilets in the previous picture. This whole area was where hobnobbing took place after performances.
A closer look at the stage.
A look upwards from directly beneath columns on the stage. Good view of two layers of decorations.
Rachel photobombed her parents during a cute photo session.
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