Mérida, known in antiquity as Augusta Emerita, was indeed founded by the Romans in 25 BCE and served as the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. Today, it is celebrated for preserving more important ancient Roman monuments than any other city in Spain, including a well-preserved Roman theatre, amphitheatre, and a bridge that still stands over the Guadiana River. These historical treasures, along with others like the Temple of Diana and the Los Milagros Aqueduct, have earned Mérida a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.