The archaeological site of Merida, formerly Augusta Emerita, was founded as a Roman colony in 25 B.C. by order of the Emperor Octavian Augustus, with the aim of settling the veteran soldiers of the Cantabrian wars. This city quickly became one of the most important in Roman Hispania, being the capital of the province of Lusitania. Nowadays, its remains constitute one of the most remarkable and extensive archaeological sites in Spain, both for its state of preservation and its historical value. Among its most emblematic monuments are the Roman theater, the amphitheater, the temple of Diana, the aqueduct of Los Milagros and the Roman bridge over the Guadiana River. In recognition of its cultural and patrimonial relevance, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993.