The building was designed to mirror the structural aesthetics of Roman arches through the repetitive use of brick piers.
Beneath the museum floor lie the remains of a residential Roman neighborhood, which visitors can view through transparent walkways.
The collection includes the 'Mosaico de las Musas,' a floor mosaic spanning approximately 30 square meters.
The museum serves as the headquarters for the research and preservation of the entire Mérida archaeological site.
The light-filled central nave is specifically designed to accommodate the height of monumental statues found within the local theater.
Some exhibits are displayed at heights that reflect the original architectural context in which they were excavated.
The National Museum of Roman Art in Mérida houses the world's most significant collection of Roman artifacts from the ancient city of Emerita Augusta. Designed by architect Rafael Moneo and opened in 1986, the building features a monumental brick structure inspired by Roman architectural techniques. It is physically connected to the adjacent Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre complex via an underground passage. The collection spans diverse categories including mosaics, sculptures, glassware, and epigraphic records. Notable displays include a near-complete collection of Roman coinage and an extensive array of grave stelae. The museum occupies the site where the Roman city once stood, with subterranean ruins visible beneath the glass floors of the lower level. It functions as both a research institution and a public display space for provincial Roman life in Hispania.
From the elevated walkway looking down into the massive, high-ceilinged central nave with its rows of brick arches.
Use the underground connecting passage to move directly between the museum and the Roman Theatre complex.
Look down through the glass floor panels in the lower level to see the ongoing archaeological site beneath the building.
Visit the secondary galleries on upper levels to find smaller, more intimate artifacts often missed by crowds.
Trying to see the entire archaeological complex and the museum in one hurried morning; allow distinct time for both.
Closed on Mondays.
