[1] It is the world's longest (in terms of distance) surviving bridge from ancient times, having once featured an estimated overall length of 755 m with 62 spans.
[1] Puente Romano has undergone at least two significant restorations: once by Sala, a Visigoth, in 686 and once by Phillip II in 1610.
Seventeen arches were destroyed in 1812 as a defensive measure against at attack during the Battle of Badajoz.
Including the approaches, the structure totals 790 m. It is still in use, but was pedestrianized in 1991 as road traffic was redirected to use the nearby Lusitania Bridge.
Annexed to the bridge is the Alcazaba of Mérida, a Moorish fortification built in 835.