Roman Theatre (Mérida) facts for kids
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Teatro Romano de Mérida
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| Location | Mérida (Badajoz), Spain |
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| Coordinates | 38°54′55.4″N 6°20′18.6″W / 38.915389°N 6.338500°W |
| Type | Roman theatre |
| Official name: Roman Theatre | |
| Type: | Cultural |
| Criteria: | iii, iv |
| Designated: | 1993 (17th session) |
| Part of: | "Roman Theatre, Amphitheatre, the Amphitheatre House" part of the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida |
| Reference #: | 664-005 |
| Region: | Europe and North America |
| Official name: Teatro Romano | |
| Type: | Non-movable |
| Criteria: | Monument |
| Designated: | 13 December 1912 |
| Reference #: | RI-51-0000107 |
The Roman Theatre of Mérida is an ancient building in Mérida, Spain. It was built by a Roman leader named Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa between 16 and 15 BCE. This theatre was part of the Roman city of Emerita Augusta, which was the capital of a region called Lusitania.
Today, the Roman Theatre of Mérida is one of the most famous places in Spain. It is seen as an important Spanish cultural symbol. It was even chosen as one of the 12 Treasures of Spain.
Over time, the theatre was updated several times. Around the late 1st or early 2nd century CE, perhaps during Emperor Trajan's rule, the grand front wall of the stage was added. Later, around 330 to 340 CE, during the time of Constantine I, new decorations were put in. After the Roman Empire declined, the theatre was slowly covered by earth. Only the top rows of seats remained visible. Local stories called this spot "The Seven Chairs." People believed that Moorish kings once sat there to decide the city's future.
The theatre was built next to the Amphitheatre of Mérida as part of a large entertainment area. Both are now part of the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida. This is one of the biggest and most important ancient sites in Spain. In 1993, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site.
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Where is the Roman Theatre Located?
The theatre is found within the amazing Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida. This is one of the largest ancient sites in all of Spain. In 1993, UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site. The theatre was built right on the edge of the old Roman city, close to its walls. Some of its seating was even carved into a nearby hill called the Cerro de San Albin.
What is the Theatre's Structure Like?
The Roman Theatre of Mérida was built following the ancient rules of a Roman architect named Vitruvius. It looks like a typical Roman theatre. Its design is similar to other famous Roman theatres. These include theatres in Dougga (Tunisia), Orange (France), and Pompeii (Italy).
How Many People Could the Theatre Hold?
The seating area, called the cavea, is shaped like a half-circle. It uses the natural slope of the San Albin hill. In its time, this theatre could hold about 6,000 people. The seating area is about 86 meters (282 feet) wide.
Seating Areas and Orchestra
The seats are divided into three main sections. The lowest section, ima cavea, had 22 rows. This is where the wealthiest people sat. The middle section, media cavea, had 5 rows. The top section, summa cavea, is quite damaged today.
The lowest rows, for the rich, were split into five wedge-shaped sections. These sections were separated by stairs. A walkway, called a praecinctio, separated the lowest seats from the ones above. Six doors at the top led to a covered hallway. This hallway helped people enter and exit the theatre. The middle and upper seating areas each had five rows of seats. They were supported by a complex system of arches and barrel vaults. In total, thirteen outside doors helped people get into the theatre.
The orchestra was a half-circle space in front of the stage. It was paved with white and blue marble. This area was used by the chorus. It was surrounded by three special rows of seats for important officials. A marble barrier separated these seats from the main audience. A low wall with straight and curved parts separated the orchestra from the stage.
What Did the Stage Look Like?
The front edge of the stage, called the proscenium, was made of stone. The main stage platform, the pulpitum, was originally made of wood. It had holes in the floor for placing scenery and other equipment.
The most impressive part of the theatre is the huge wall behind the stage. This wall is called the scaenae frons. It is 7.5 meters (24.6 feet) wide, 63 meters (206.7 feet) long, and 17.5 meters (57.4 feet) tall. It has a base of red marble stones. On this base stand tall Corinthian columns made of blue-veined marble. These columns have white bases and tops. They support a decorated structure above them, with architrave, friezes, and cornices.
A large marble wall forms the very back of the stage. This area is decorated with statues placed between the columns. The original statues are now kept in the nearby National Museum of Roman Art. They include statues of the goddess Ceres, Pluto, Proserpina, and other figures. These figures wear togas and armor, and some might be portraits of Roman emperors.
Three doors allowed actors to enter the stage. The main central door was the valva regia. The two side doors were called valva hospitalium. On the sides and behind the stage were rooms for actors and technicians. We don't know exactly what the original stage front looked like. The one we see today was likely built during Emperor Trajan's time.
What Was the Peristyle Used For?
Behind the stage, there was a garden area. It was surrounded by columns and a square portico. This area, called the peristyle, was a place for people to relax. At the back of this garden, directly in line with the main stage door, was a small room. This room was used for the imperial cult, which was the worship of the emperor. A statue of Emperor Caesar Augustus, dressed as a high priest, was found here.
In one corner of the peristyle, high above the garden, there were ancient restrooms. To the west, you can see the remains of a house. This house was built after the theatre was no longer used. It had a courtyard with columns and pilasters (flat columns). It also had several rooms, some with rounded ends called apses. Many rooms had paintings of human figures on their walls.
How Was the Theatre Found and Fixed?
For a long time, only small parts of the theatre were visible. These were known as the "Seven Chairs." They were the tops of the seating areas and a concrete base that was part of the building's front.
Digging to uncover the theatre began in 1910. Archaeologist José Ramón Mélida led these early efforts. However, they had limited tools and methods back then. This slowed down the work until the late 20th century. By then, most of the building was uncovered. Many columns, cornices, statues, and other building parts were found, especially from the front of the stage.
After being dug up, the theatre was used for a play for the first time in 1933. In the 1960s and 1970s, the front of the stage was rebuilt. This work was led by the architect and archaeologist José Menéndez Pidal y Álvarez.
What is the Theatre Used For Today?
The Roman Theatre of Mérida is the most visited ancient site in the city. Since 1933, it has been the home of the Festival de Mérida. This is a famous festival of classical theatre. The Mérida Classical Theatre Festival is the oldest of its kind in Spain.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro romano de Mérida para niños
- Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida
- List of Roman sites in Spain
- List of Roman theatres
