Temple of Diana Merida Spain II
by Joan Carroll
Title
Temple of Diana Merida Spain II
Artist
Joan Carroll
Medium
Photograph - Photography And Digital Art
Description
It could be Athens without the crowds. But it’s not, it’s the Temple of Diana in Merida Spain! The Temple of Diana sits right in the center of town and would be easy to miss if you were even a block or two away as it is hemmed in by contemporary buildings. The Temple of Diana dates back to the 1st century BCE, and stood at the center of a sacred space enclosed by a wall that served as a site from which the authorities addressed the citizenry. It sits on top of a three-meter high base and was reached by a stairway that no longer exists. Between the 8th and 9th centuries, an Islamic building was built where the stairway used to be. It served as part of an Islamic Palace at least until the Alcazaba was built in 835. Towards the end of the 15th century, Don Alfonso Mexía, a knight of the Order of Saint James, built his palace over the remains of the Roman temple! In the 20th century, it was decided to keep part of that palace in place rather than totally reclaim the old Roman temple because of the architectural value of some of its components, such as the entrance portico and the gothic-like window. Moreover, the palace was part of the Temple’s history – if it hadn’t been reused, it might have disappeared altogether. Which is why today you see the curious remains of that house in the middle of the temple! The Temple of Diana, along with other historic buildings and structures in Merida, comprises the city’s UNESCO World Heritage site.
FEATURED PHOTO, Imagination-artistry-creativity group, 4/2/18
FEATURED PHOTO, Topaz Simplify-glow-impression Photo Renderings group, 3/7/18
Joan carroll, archeology, landmark, historical, monument, ruins, roman, columns, ancient
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Uploaded
March 7th, 2018
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