House of the Mitreo, Roman archaeological residence in Mérida, Spain
The House of the Mitreo is a Roman residential structure in Mérida organized around three columned courtyards. Every room displays elaborate floor mosaics and painted wall decorations from the Roman period.
This residence was constructed between the late first and early second centuries as a private home for wealthy Romans. Construction workers uncovered it during building work on an adjacent plaza in the 1960s.
The mosaics inside show how Romans understood the universe and their place in it through art and decoration. These images of earth, sea, and sky elements reveal what mattered to the people who lived here.
The site opens Tuesday through Sunday with accessible pathways throughout the different areas and rooms. Guided tours are available in various languages for those who want detailed explanations of what they see.
Below the main living areas are hidden underground chambers including a water storage tank and specially designed cooling rooms. These hidden spaces reveal how cleverly Romans engineered their homes to stay comfortable during hot Mediterranean summers.
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