Basilica of Saint Eulalia (Mérida)
Basílica de Santa Eulalia
A Romanesque church honoring the city's patron saint, with an underground archaeological area where Roman houses and early Christian tombs lie stacked in layers.
The Basilica of Saint Eulalia honors the young martyr Saint Eulalia, who was martyred here in 304 AD. The present building is 13th-century Romanesque, and the Little Oven chapel beside the portico incorporates stone elements from a Roman temple to Mars. The underground archaeological area is the highlight: Roman houses, a 4th-century martyrs' tomb, and Visigothic burials are stacked in layers, making it an excellent place to understand Mérida's transition from the Roman to the Christian era. The underground area is included in the combined site ticket. The church itself should not be visited during Mass.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:00–18:30 (winter) / 09:00–21:00 (summer); visits restricted during Mass
Nearby sights
- Portico of the Municipal Forum
- Temple of Diana, Mérida
- National Museum of Roman Art
- Arch of Trajan (Mérida)
- Plaza de España (Mérida)
- Roman Theatre & Amphitheatre of Mérida
- Acueducto de San Lázaro
- Acueducto de los Milagros