NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION The remains of the aqueduct lie outside Mérida, which is southwest of Madrid
DIMENSIONS
Length: 2,706 ft (825 m); height: 82 ft (25 m)
CONSTRUCTED
1st century AD
DAYTIME TEMPERATURES
Jan: 48°F (9°C); Apr: 57°F (14°C); Jul: 81°F (27°C); Oct: 64°F (18°C)
As you descend into the bowl of the city of Mérida, you’ll pass through a particularly featureless set of suburbs. Then, suddenly, you come upon the towering remains of the Acueducto de los Milagros (Aqueduct of the Miracles), stranded heroically amid the tangle of peripheral roads.
The effect of its alternating granite and brick structure is striking, especially in spring when the storks nest where the water once flowed. The aqueduct stands proudly aloof in its own parkland, acting as a superb appetizer for the rest of Roman Mérida. No other place in Spain boasts such a wealth of classical remains.
Practical Information
Getting There and Around The aqueduct is a short walk from Mérida’s old center. There is an airport at nearby Badajoz, but your best bet is Seville or Madrid. There are five trains a day from Madrid and one from Seville.
When to Go Mérida is at its best mid-Mar–mid-Jun (though avoid traveling in Spain at Easter) and mid-Sep–early Nov.