Arch of Trajan, Mérida, Spain

Arch of Trajan in Mérida was an entrance arch, possibly to the provincial forum. It was located in the Cardo Maximus, one of the main streets of the city and connected it to the municipal forum. Made of granite and originally faced with marble, it measures 14 metres high, 5.7 metres wide and 8.7 metres internal diameter. It is believed to have a triumphal character, although it could also serve as a prelude to the Provincial Forum. Its name is arbitrary, as the commemorative inscription was lost centuries ago.

User Reviews

Agassiz (2 years ago)
Great historical landmark

Darryl Burrows (2 years ago)
It’s worth seeing. It was much a once larger arch like the Arch de Triomph in Paris, but most of it has been stripped away. Go into the restaurant on the right - the arch is built right into it. Very cool.

Donny M (2 years ago)
Historic, impressive, and a great jazz bar on the corner

Gregg Duggan (3 years ago)
Wonderful imposing structure but has lost all of it adornments and barely resembles a Roman arch. Worth a walk by if you are in the area.

Jahan T (3 years ago)
I’m so glad McDonald has not sponsored it and painted it yellow. There is still hope for civil society.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

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Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

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