The Roman Theater in Merida has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1993. Visitors can see the remains of an ancient theater. The theater is a classic example of this type of Roman architecture. This huge building had 6,000 seats divided into three spheres intended for people of various social classes.
It was possible to get inside through one of the 13 decorative front doors. The stage was slightly tilted according to the terrain. The theater is surrounded by a garden with a portico. There is a sculpture of Emperor Caesar Augustus. Every year, the Classic Theater Festival takes place on the premises.
The building was built in the 1st century BC by the order of the Roman consul Vipsanius Agrippa. The theater was located on the outskirts of the then city. In the nineteenth century, archaeological works aimed at exploring and reconstructing the building took place. The reconstruction was carried out under the direction of José Menéndez Pidal y Álvarez.