| The Parador of Merida is another of the Paradores | | | | the 1st century B.C. - this grand place seated 15 |
| that is located on the "ruta de la plata" - which may be | | | | thousand - who came to watch gladiators and chariot |
| the oldest road in Europe. Built by the Romans, the | | | | races and fake sea battles (they actually flooded the |
| road got it's name (plata) from the type of stones with | | | | arena so mock ships could float inside the |
| which it was paved - called balatha. | | | | amphitheater!). |
| The Merida Parador is housed in a building that has a | | | | - The Roman Aqueduct: Aqueducto de los Milagros |
| very long history. It has been controlled by Romans, | | | | isn't nearly as well preserved as the one in Segovia, |
| Visigoths, Moors and Christians, and has gone through | | | | but it has a "haunting" feel to it and harkens back to |
| times of being a Roman forum and temple, a mosque, | | | | pre-Biblical times. |
| a church, a hospital, a jail - and now a very fine | | | | - The Alcazaba: This fairly well preserved Moorish |
| Parador hotel. | | | | castle-fortress was later used by the Knights of |
| Most of the ancient vestiges that remain in the | | | | Santiago. |
| Parador of Merida are from the monastery built by the | | | | - The National Museum of Roman Art: Well worth a |
| Franciscans in the 15th century. It has a very lovely | | | | visit - it contains all manner of archeologically interesting |
| patio surrounded by arches supported by marble | | | | remains from Roman times. |
| columns. The lounge is the former chapel and has an | | | | - There are many other wonderful things to see in |
| extraordinarily beautiful ceiling. The Parador of Merida | | | | Merida - try to stay a few days in order to do this |
| has a serene air and really is one of the prettiest in the | | | | magnificent city justice. |
| Parador chain. | | | | Interesting day trips from the Parador of Merida |
| The city of Merida has a fascinating history. Founded | | | | include: |
| around 25 B.C. by the Romans, it was at one time one | | | | - Caceres: 68 kilometers to the north is one of the |
| of the most splendid cities in all of Iberia and was | | | | finest "monumental" towns in Spain and has been |
| actually the capital of Lusitania (the Roman name for | | | | declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO. |
| what we now call Portugal). There are more Roman | | | | - Trujillo: 90 kilometers away - Trujillo is a simple |
| ruins here than anywhere else in Spain, and they make | | | | treasure . . . Spain as it once was, and with a plaza to |
| for appealing site-seeing. | | | | rival any other in Spain. |
| Interesting nearby excursions from Parador Merida into | | | | - Zafra: 60 kilometers to the south - Zafra is a |
| the city and nearby environs: | | | | pleasant town to visit (and there is a Parador there for |
| - The Roman Bridge: at a half-mile in length, this was | | | | you to stay at if you prefer). |
| the longest Roman-built bridge in Spain. It has now | | | | The Parador Merida is a fine place to stay, and it is |
| been closed to car traffic, so you can stroll leisurely | | | | located in one of the most interesting cities you'll ever |
| and peacefully out across the river Guadiana and take | | | | visit. Don't hesitate to enjoy this unique combinations of |
| in the views back to the city. | | | | experiences if you are ever traveling in this "out-back" |
| - The Roman Amphitheater: When it was operating in | | | | area of Spain - the far west of Extremadura. |