Museo Nacional de Arte Romano

Over het museum

The museum was created by royal decree on 7 July 1975, on the occasion of the bimillennium of Mérida, and was the first national museum outside Madrid. It inherited the archaeological collections of the ancient Augusta Emerita, gathered since the 16th century in the city's palaces and convents and housed from 1838 in the church of Santa Clara, after the disentailment. Throughout the 20th century, excavations directed by José Ramón Mélida and Maximiliano Macías enriched the holdings with new pieces.

The present building was designed by Rafael Moneo, who received the commission in 1979. It was built between 1980 and 1986 next to the Roman theatre and amphitheatre, and the museum opened on 19 September 1986. Moneo conceived an architecture of large brick arches and zenithal light that recalls Roman buildings, raised over remains of the ancient city that can be seen in the crypt. In February 2026 an extension, also designed by Moneo, was inaugurated, doubling the surface area of the museum.

The permanent collection brings together sculptures, portraits, mosaics, wall paintings, inscriptions, funerary stelae, bronzes, coins, jewellery, ceramics and everyday objects from the Roman province of Lusitania. The Visigothic Art Collection is displayed separately, in the former church of Santa Clara in the historic centre, and admission to it is free. The museum also runs research programmes, publications (among them the journal Anas), educational activities and a library specialising in Roman archaeology.

Hoogtepunten

• Building by Rafael Moneo, with brick arches and zenithal light, next to the Roman theatre and amphitheatre
• Crypt with remains of the ancient city of Augusta Emerita visible in situ
• Roman sculptures and portraits, including a bust of Augustus and statues of Ceres and Mercury
• Mosaics and wall paintings from villas and houses in Mérida
• Funerary stelae and inscriptions from the necropolis of Emerita
• Visigothic Art Collection in the church of Santa Clara, free admission

Vaste collectie

• Colección permanente de arte romano – Tour of the ground floor, the first and second floors and the crypt of the Moneo building, with sculptures, mosaics, paintings, inscriptions and everyday objects of the Roman city of Augusta Emerita.
• Colección de Arte Visigodo (Santa Clara) – Visigothic-period pieces displayed in the former church of Santa Clara, in the historic centre of Mérida.

Opgericht

1986

Beheerder

Ministerio de Cultura

Directie

Trinidad Nogales Basarrate

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Gratis toegang: 18 April, 18 May, 12 October, 6 December, all Saturdays from 14:00 and all Sundays.

The Visigothic Art Collection at Santa Clara is free of charge. Free admission, with accreditation, is also available to people in a legal situation of unemployment, accredited teaching staff, members of ICOM and other professional associations, and official tourist guides and journalists in the performance of their duties.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

Wheelchairs are available at the Roman seat, as well as an electric mobility scooter, thanks to an agreement with the FUNVIBA foundation. There is a ramp at the main door and up to the ground floor and the crypt; the lift reaches the crypt and the first and second floors. The Visigothic Collection has an access ramp and a signposted alternative route from the main door. There are adapted public toilets, two portable magnetic loops at the ticket offices of both seats and four FM induction systems at the Roman seat. Sign-language activities and adapted visits are offered. Plans are available in Spanish, English and French.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Verschoonruimte

The museum offers a treasure hunt for families, and workshops and educational visits for schoolchildren within the Aula Romana programme. The adapted toilet has a baby-changing table.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The museum is next to the enclosure of the Roman theatre and amphitheatre. From the car park go up to the roundabout, turn right and take the tree-lined promenade that leads to Calle José Ramón Mélida.

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel
• Garderobe

Shop at the entrance to the main seat, with guides, catalogues and objects related to the collections (the official website indicates that, due to facility improvements, it may remain closed). Free cloakroom only for visitors during the visit. Library specialising in Roman archaeology on the second floor, with consultation by prior request to the management.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

The museum has an assembly hall for its own activities.

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