Arch of Trajan, Roman arch in Mérida, Spain
The Arch of Trajan is a granite structure with marble cladding located at an intersection of ancient Roman streets in Mérida. The monument stands approximately 15 meters tall and allows passage from one side to the other, serving as a clear threshold between two urban zones.
The structure was built in the first half of the 1st century under Emperor Tiberius and served as an entrance to the provincial forum. Archaeological research has revealed that the arch predates the reign of Emperor Trajan by approximately 60 years or more.
The monument connects two important civic spaces of the ancient city and reveals how Romans used grand structures to organize their urban layouts. Visitors can observe how this passageway linked different districts and shaped the flow of public life.
The monument sits in central Mérida near Plaza de España, surrounded by restaurants, banks, and shops for basic amenities. Paid parking is available around 500 meters away, making it easy to reach on foot from most parts of the historic center.
The arch bears the name of Emperor Trajan despite being built decades before his rule, a naming confusion that reveals how local history often diverged from popular memory. This mismatch between name and actual date surprises many visitors who assume it honors its namesake's era.
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