The Roman circus of Mérida

In Spain, Mérida's Roman circus stands as a site from the Roman colonia of Emerita Augusta, the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. Established around 20 BC and inaugurated some 30 years later, this structure 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 in width, it could house up to 30,000 spectators. Although currently in ruins, it is one of the best preserved examples of Roman circus.

It is part of the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. The circus saw more use than other Roman structures of Mérida after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity, as racing was considered less sinful than spectacles performed in the Theatre and the Amphitheatre.

The circus remains very well preserved and includes structures such as the Porta Pompae, the Porta Triumphalis, the spina, and the tribunal iudicium. A museum dedicated to the circus now sits near the middle edge of the circus grounds and allows admittance into the fenced area around the remains. The City Council of Mérida organizes the "Gran Circus Maximus", a representation of a chariot race with a historical setting in which the public is able to access the monument as long as they wear their Roman clothing.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons