Day 28 Mérida

Today we just rode the 47km to Mérida. This proved to be the fastest we had covered the ground with a constant slight downhill, a following wind and the smooth surface of the N630.
The N630 follows the ancient Roman Via de la Plata, or Silver Road. This was an important trading route linking the South to the North of the Iberian Peninsula and passed through the Roman province of Lusitania, now Extremadura. Mérida was founded as an important city on this route and has the remains of many fine buildings.
We entered the city in true Roman style in an absolutely straight line from the straight N630 over the 792m long, 60 arched Roman bridge over the River Guadiana.

 It was lunchtime and after checking into a hostal and parking the bikes safely in their garage, we found the first vegetarian restaurant of our travels. Then, determined to make the most of our afternoon here we bought a combined ticket for all the sites and exhausted ourselves exploring.

Aqueduct, complete with many storks' nests

Amphitheatre

Theatre

Vilafranco to Mérida -  47km, ascent negligible.