Roman Forum (Mérida) facts for kids
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Foro romano de Mérida
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The Temple of Diana.
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| Location | Mérida (Badajoz), Spain |
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| Coordinates | 38°55′01″N 6°20′35.3″W / 38.91694°N 6.343139°W |
| Type | Roman Forum |
| Official name: Local Forum | |
| Type: | Cultural |
| Criteria: | iii, iv |
| Designated: | 1993 (17th session) |
| Part of: | Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida |
| Reference #: | 664-015 |
| Region: | Europe and North America |
The Roman Forum in Mérida, Spain was a very important public space. It was the main meeting place in the ancient Roman city of Emerita Augusta. This city was started in 25 BC by the Roman Emperor Augustus.
Mérida also had another large public area called the Provincial Forum. It was built later, around 50 AD. Both forums and other old Roman sites in Mérida are super important. Because of this, they were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993. This list includes places that are special for everyone in the world.
Mérida, or Emerita Augusta as the Romans called it, was once the capital of a big Roman area. This area was called Lusitania. It covered most of modern-day Portugal and part of central Spain. The city had many typical Roman buildings. These included theaters, temples, forums, and arenas. Even after about 2,000 years, many of Mérida's Roman ruins are still in great shape. Mérida has more important ancient Roman monuments than any other city in Spain.
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What is a Roman Forum?
A Roman forum was like the city's downtown. It was a big open square where people gathered. Romans used forums for many things. They were places for markets, religious ceremonies, and political meetings. Important government buildings were often built around the forum. It was the heart of Roman city life.
Important Buildings at the Forum
The Roman Forum of Mérida had several key buildings. These structures show us how Romans lived and worshipped.
Temple of Diana
The Temple of Diana is one of the most famous buildings here. When it was found, people thought it was for the goddess Diana. But later, experts learned it was actually for the imperial cult. This means it was used to worship the Roman emperors.
The temple was built during Emperor Augustus's time. It was made using strong local granite stone. Later, parts of the temple were used to build a palace for a count. This shows how old buildings were sometimes reused.
Other Structures
- Temple of Mars: This was another temple in the forum area.
- Portico: A portico is a covered walkway with columns. This one was built in the 1st century AD. It provided shade and shelter for people walking through the forum.
- Basilica: A basilica was a large public building, often used for law courts or business. The basilica in Mérida was located right in front of the Temple of Diana.
- Baths: Roman baths were public places for washing and socializing. They were an important part of daily life.
See also
