If you are visiting Croatia, Pula is absolutely worth seeing. With remnants of Roman history, walking trough this town of extraordinary beauty with a 3000-year history, Pula takes you to another era. Pula is one of Croatia’s most fun destinations, offering a mix of cultural and historical highlights. With plenty of fun in the sun. This important Istrian port boasts a rich and varied cultural heritage and has some of the best-preserved Roman monuments in Croacia.
Pula is the largest city in Istria County and the seventh-largest city in the country. It is situated at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula. The city has a long tradition of wine making, fishing, shipbuilding, and tourism.
Pula offers a range of other facilities such as shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, barras, clubs, museums, theaters, cinemas, and galleries. There is something for everyone in Pula, and the city promises to deliver an unforgettable experience to all its visitors.
City Center
Pula – Istria – Croatia is best known for its many surviving ancient Roman buildings. The most famous of which is its 1st-century amphitheatre. Among the six largest surviving Roman arenas in the world and locally known as the Arena. This is one of the best preserved amphitheatres from antiquity and is still in use today.
Two other notable and well-preserved ancient Roman structures are: the 1st-century AD triumphal arch, the Arco de los Sergios (Golden Gate) and the Templo de Augusto, built in the 1st century AD, on the Forum square during the reign of the Roman emperor Augustus.
El Twin Gates (Porta Gemina) is one of the few remaining gates after the city walls were pulled down at the beginning of the 19th century. It dates from the mid-2nd century, replacing an earlier gate.
El Gate of Hercules dates from the 1st century. At the top of the single arch one can see the bearded head of Hercules, carved in high-relief, and his club on the adjoining voussoir.
Pula – experience the best
To experience the best of Pula, you just need to step out onto the street and visit the Augustan Forum, built in the 1st century BC, close to the sea, in the heart of Pula. In Roman times it was surrounded by temples of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. This Roman commercial and administrative centre of the city remained the main square of classical and medieval Pula. It still is the main administrative and legislative centre of the city.
The city’s old quarter of narrow streets, lined with Medieval and Renaissance buildings, are still surfaced with ancient Roman paving stones. Those vertiginous views, multi-colored houses, rugged coast line and the bluest of water, look like a movie set characterized by old-fashioned glamour and stylish sophistication.
The Byzantine chapel of Santa Maria del Canneto (or St. Mary Formosa) is build in the 6th century (before 546) in the form of a Greek cross, resembling the churches in Ravenna. It is build by Maximianus of Ravenna, then a deacon, but later Archbishop of Ravenna.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is build in the 6th century, when Pula became the seat of a bishopry. It is build on the remains over the original site where the Christians used to gather and pray in Roman times.
Kastel – The castle
The star-shaped castle Kastel with four bastions is located on top of the central hill of the old city. It is build on the remains of the Roman capitolium. Constructed by the Venetians in the 17th century, following the plans of the French military architect Antoine de Ville. Since 1961. it houses the Historical Museum of Istria. Close by, on the north-eastern slopes, one can see the remains of a 2nd-century theatre.
El Archaeological Museum of Istria is located in the park on a lower level than the Roman theatre and close to the Twin Gates. Its collection is started by Marshall Marmont in 1802. when he collects the stone monuments from the temple of Augustus. The present-day museum opens in 1949. It displays treasures from Pula and surroundings from prehistory until the Middle Ages. The building is build under Austro-Hungarian rule and is the former Austrian high school.
City’s proximity
Verudela is a favorite place for adrenaline lovers because of its 15-meter Pula Kanjon (Canyon) which ranks among the most beautiful canyons on the Adriatic. Jumping into the sea from this cliff is a true adventure reserved only for the bravest.
The Verudela Peninsula has many other hidden secrets:
Don’t miss:
The Aquarium Pula is the biggest aquarium in Croatia. Located in the Austro-Hungarian fortress Verudela, built in 1886. on the peninsula 3 km (2 mi) from the centre of the city of Pula. Transforming the fortress into the aquarium is been in progress since 2002. From the roof of the fort, visitors may view the entire city of Pula. It is also possible to see the first marine turtle rescue centre in Croatia.
Fort Bourguignon is one of many fortresses in Pula that the Austrian empire erected to protect the port for its navy.
Nesactium is an ancient hill fort settlement, considered to be the oldest urban settlement in Istria. The town is about 10 km north of Pula, next to Valtura and Pula Airport. The site is located above Bay of Budava, and it is well protected by its steep hills.
Pula is a world of cultural charms and remote outposts; paths to cross and lessons to learn and above all, have fun!
Ver también: Los lugares más pintorescos de Croacia