Mérida - Teatro Romano

Opposite the Museum of Roman Art is an area containing the largest Roman architectural remains. To the right is the Theater, built by the Roman general Agrippa in 16 B.C. and rebuilt after a fire in the reign of Hadrian (A.D. second C.). The well preserved semicircular auditorium could seat 6,000 spectators. The rear wall of the stage buildings, which suffered most damage in the fire, has sculptural decoration dating from the second century rebuilding. Here there was a garden which served as a foyer. The theater has recently been restored and is used in an annual summer festival of drama.