Merida Spain to Elvas Portugal

Travelled : 159km
Visited : Merida Spain, Elvas Portugal
Stay: Elvas- free parking,  no services N38.878551 W7.174740

We made our way South to Merida and parked behind the Amphitheatre. 

This may give you the hint that this town is all about its Roman ruins. Having visited Rome previously and seen plenty of ruins before we were unsure if we should go in and have a look. We have noticed that many places in Spain offer discounted ticket rates for EU citizens. So armed with my French passport and Mark's French Visa we showed them at the ticket office and got them for half price €7.50.  The town was founded by Augustus in 25BC and it became the capital of Rome's westernmost province.  However, like the rest of Spain, the empire fell to the Visigoths in the 5th century and then to the Moors in 711.
We enjoyed our visits to the Amphitheatre and the Roman Theatre. The interpretive signs were very good and there is always something new to learn and to discover. We spent the time reflecting on how life would have been back then and marvel at how they managed to build such immense structures that after 2000+ years parts of are still here. Not sure if our buildings of today would survive that long.  

The Romans loved the arches.

Learnt about the different types of gladiators.

The amphitheatre is still used today during summer.

We then walked down the busy streets and pass the remains of the Temple of Diana.

Never to busy to pat a burro.

Some buildings in the main square.

Our next stop was to admire the once longest Roman bridge built over the Guadiana River that we will later follow into Portugal. 

Just next to the bridge is the Alcazaba, one of Spain's oldest Moorish building (835). Although it was built over a previous Roman fortress. 

There is water down there! Filtered from the river..very clever these Romans.

Olive oil mill. 

By now it was time to find some lunch. We once again fluked a great little restaurant and enjoyed some traditional fare including cervecas and very nice Crianza vino tinto. 

 Squid.

 Kebab

We were persuaded to wash it all down with complemtary carafes of some yellow liqueur (like lemoncello) and a 'baileys' style. 

Well that took our enthusiasm for more sightseeing. All we wanted was a siesta! But we didn't feel like staying here so we headed West into Portugal to the border town of Elvas. The old town, due to its vauban style fortifications is a UNESCO site. We parked Bluey in a huge car park next to the 16th century aquaduct that brought water from a spring 8km away and took more the 100 years to complete. It has 843 arches and in some places is 5 tiers and 30m high. 

With a borrowed map in hand we ventured up the hill and through one of the 3 entrances into the walled town. 

Gives you an idea on the shape of this fortified town.

There were information signs at all the main sights as we wondered through the alleyways and narrow streets. The painted buildings being very Portuguese. 

After going to see the cathedral in the main Plaza we went to the Castle but it was closed. 

The castle.

The views from here made it clear why it has been an important defensive structure since it was liberated from the Moors in 1230. Wellington even used it as a base to besiege Badajoz in Spain. There even a couple of more smaller fortifications on the nearby hills.

The vauban influence.

From here it was down hill all the way back to Bluey passing through a few more gateways before it was cup of tea time!

This is where the aqueduct ends.

Where's Bluey?