"The Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida, located in Extremadura, Spain, has its origins in the year 25 BC, when Augustus completed the conquest of the North of Hispania and founded the Colony of Augusta Emerita. The city was created as an idealised model of Rome and was the capital of Lusitania, the western-most province of the Roman Empire. The modern city of Mérida has been built on top of Emerita; yet, archaeological remains are well preserved and still evidence the Roman city." (UNESCO)