Our way of organizing and interpreting the world is greatly indebted to Roman culture in everything from engineering and the planning of roads and cities, to Law and artistic expression. This may seem surprising but when you see it in person, the truth of this fact becomes evident. Mérida is a splendid example. Founded as a Roman colony by order of the Emperor Augustus, Mérida offers its visitors a true insight into all aspects of Roman antiquity. Here one sees first-hand the sense of proportion, the sumptuousness, and even the representation of authority that we have inherited from Rome. Mérida is known worldwide for its Roman Theatre, but its heritage doesn’t end there. This Roman city, one-time capital of Lusitania province, has an amphitheatre, a circus, and a magnificent bridge spanning the Guadiana, as well as the remains of a forum, of public baths and of the town wall, plus a huge arch that led into the sacred area, a beautiful temple of Diana, and more. Santa Eulalia street has exactly the same layout as the ancient “Decumanus Maximus”. What’s great about Mérida is that everything breathes life here. As more than just buildings and ruins, Roman culture has been enhanced to appeal to today’s sensitivity and to offer a unique learning experience, with facilities and activities like the National Roman Art Museum and the Classical Theatre Festival. If learning about our past helps us to know who really are, Mérida is a way of understanding what it means to be human. Augustus would be proud of this town.