Roman Circus

The Roman circus of Mérida was used for chariot racing. It was modelled on the Circus Maximus in Rome and other circus buildings throughout the Empire. Measuring more than 400 m in length and 30 m of width, it is one of the best preserved examples of Roman circus. It could house up to 30,000 spectators.

There is no consensus about the circus' dating, as it was built and used for several years before its official dedication. It seems to have been built sometime around 20 BC and inaugurated some 30 years later. It was located far outside the city walls, but close to the road that connected the city to Toledo and Córdoba.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity in Spain, the circus saw more use than the other Roman structures of Mérida, since racing was considered less sinful than spectacles performed in the Theatre and the Amphitheatre.

Mérida's circus remains very well preserved with numerous structures, including the Porta Pompae ('main entrance'), the Porta Triumphalis ('triumph gate'), the spina (the longitudinal wall), the tribunal iudicium ('tribune of the judges'). A museum dedicated to the circus now sits near the middle edge of the circus grounds and it allows admittance into the fenced area around the circus remains.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Avenida de Juan Carlos I 18, Mérida, Spain

Details

Founded: c. 20 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Spain