The Temple of Diana was a sacred place of worship dedicated to the Roman imperial cult, which regarded emperors and some members of their families as gods. The granite structure was built in the 1st century and would have been part of the forum, where the city’s most important buildings were located. Look up in awe at this ancient structure.
Imagine the sights and sounds that filled this area in ancient days. During Roman times, numerous activities took place here, including trade and sacrifices to the gods. City leaders would also address citizens from the public gallery that historically stood in front of the temple.
Study its remains, which sit on a tall podium. Granite from local quarries provided the structural foundation with a stucco overcoat. Historically access was via a staircase, but this has been lost over time. Today, you cannot enter the Roman building, but you can walk around it, surveying the surviving Corinthian columns. In its heyday, the temple was surrounded on all sides by columns.
Note that the building has come through 2,000 years of history in reasonably good shape. This is due to it once being part of the foundations and skeleton of a renaissance palace, belonging to the Count of Corbos. See the remains of this magnificent home, which are incorporated into the temple’s structure. View other ancient remnants as you walk around the temple plaza, including parts of a Roman wall.
In addition to seeing the temple from ground level, look down on it from the raised platform that encircles three of its sides.
The Temple of Diana is located in the city center, close to bus stops and paid parking garages. It can be viewed at all times. The building is part of the Archeological Ensemble of Mérida, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit other historical structures that form part of this collection, including the 9th-century Alcazaba, the Roman Theatre and the Circo Romano.
