During your time in Mérida, visit this 1st-century Roman sporting arena, which features parts of its original stands and a U-shaped track.
The Circo Romano was an ancient sporting arena, where chariots once raced. Visit the site, considered one of the best-preserved Roman circuses to survive to the present day. It features the remains of stands and entrances as well as an on-site museum.
The exact date of its construction is unknown, but some historians put it within a few years of Mérida's founding, which was in 25 B.C. This large arena was located outside the walls of the Roman colony and could host about 30,000 spectators. Although much of the original site has been lost, you can still appreciate its scale and dimensions.
Walk along the track within the arena. The site is over 1,300 feet (400 meters) long and 300 feet (100 meters) wide. At its center is what's left of the separating wall, called the spina. In ancient days, this was decorated with obelisks and sculptures. Look closely and you will see their foundations. As you stroll around the track, study the remaining lower seating areas and the relics of doors through which competitors passed on their way into the ring.
Visit the museum for additional insights into the circus. Browse displays in the permanent exhibition hall on the first floor. The second floor features audiovisual presentations on the circus's history. Afterward, take the stairs to the rooftop for an excellent view of the elongated U-shaped arena.
This ancient site is about 0.9 miles (1.4 kilometers) northeast of the Plaza de España. Walk there or drive and pay to park in one of the nearby garages. Circo Romano is open daily except for several days around Christmas and New Year. The site closes for several hours at lunchtime. There is an entry fee, but admission is free for children under the age of 8. Circo Romano is part of the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which also includes the Roman Theatre and the Temple of Diana.
