The origins of the National Museum of Roman Art date back to the 16th century, when Don Fernando de Vera y Vargas, señor Don Tello y Sierra Brava began an important epigraphical collection in his palace. His son, the Count of Roca, maintained and added to it. He displayed some of the pieces on the façade of the building, which was torn down at the end of the 19th century.
In 1724, at the instigation of the Town Hall, several pieces of ancient marble discovered in the town were placed at the town gate, which goes to the bridge leading to the Conventual or Alcazaba. During that same century, another collection known as Jardín de Antigüedades, was put together in the convent of Jesus of Nazareth (now, a Parador Nacional) under the supervision of scholars of that period: Agustín Francisco Forner y Segarra and the Father Superior of the Domingo de Nuestra Señora Convent.
Since then, numerous excavations have provided many archaeological pieces that have contributed notably to these collections.
As a result of the State's disentailing policy and in recognition of the town's archaeological importance, the Convent of Santa Clara was donated for use as a museum in 1838. Here the Mérida collection was finally installed. The first inventory, taken at the centre in 1910, gave a total of 557 objects.
Afterwards, under the direction of the University of Madrid's Professor of Archaeology, José Ramón Mélida and the local archaeologist, Maximiliano Macías, systematic excavations of the town's archaeological areas (theatre, amphitheatre, circus, necropolis, houses, etc) were initiated and carried out between 1910 and 1936. The museum's collection, placed under the control of the Professional Corps of Archivists, Librarians and Archaeologists, increased to 3000 items.
The idea of creating a museum dedicated to Roman art and culture in Mérida was particularly apt, given that Mérida, due to its monumental ruins and museum artefacts, brings us so close to the Romanisation of Hispania in all its aspects. Furthermore, the importance of its collections acquires a dimension that goes beyond local and regional perspectives and justifies its denomination as a National Museum.
There was no doubt as to where the new museum should be located. No place could be better, according to its previous director, José Alvarez Sáenz de Buruaga, than next to the theatre, amphitheatre and house of the amphitheatre. These monumental ruins receive large numbers of visitors every year and the evocative Romanism that they envelope us in is truly exceptional. Besides, the excavations necessary before beginning the new structure would provide an important contribution to the archaeological context that was to become a part of the museum.
In 1980, Rafael Moneo Vallés took charge of the construction of the building and completed it between 1981 and 1985.
The museum's scientific team, working in strict cooperation with the architect, carried out the installation of the museum's facilities. 1985 It was designed to accommodate any new additions and changes called for by the development of the ongoing archaeological research in Mérida.
The museum was inaugurated on September 19, 1986, by the King and Queen of Spain in the presence of the President of the Republic of Italy. In that way, the bond between Rome and one of the most important cities of its empire, Augusta Emerita, was commemorated.