The vibrant ancient city of Pula overlooks the Adriatic Sea. Founded in the days of Julius Caesar, this city is a unique place where styles and cultures of different times and peoples have mixed. Here are preserved ancient Roman temples and walls, Byzantine chapels and expressive palazzo in the style of the Italian Renaissance. So what to see in Pula?
Pula's symbol is its Roman amphitheater, one of the largest in all of Europe. Once it accommodated 23 thousand people, it is curious that film festivals are still held here. The city also has preserved a luxurious antique temple of Augustus with columns. And on the top of the hill, where the Roman Capitol used to be located, now stands the powerful fortress of Kastel of the 17th century.
There are many churches in Pula - both Catholic and Orthodox. The cathedral, erected during the time of the first Christians, was completely rebuilt in the 15th century, but the small chapel of the Virgin Mary Formosa has been preserved since the 6th century. The Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, famous for its magnificent Greek iconostasis, also deserves special attention.
Pula has many cozy narrow streets dating back to Roman times. On the territory of the city, there are also powerful Austrian bastions and forts of the 19th century, in one of which the city aquarium is now operating. And a couple of kilometers from Pula, in the Adriatic Sea itself, there is an archipelago of the Brijuni Islands, which is now a stunning national park.
TOP-10 attractions of Pula
Pula amphitheater
Pula amphitheater
The main attraction of Pula is its huge amphitheater, the walls of which are 30 meters high. It is unique in that four towers of the arena have been preserved here, and in its appearance all three architectural orders are presented.
The amphitheater was built at the beginning of the 1st century under Emperor Augustus. In those days, the arena could accommodate 23 thousand people. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was used for grazing. Stone was also mined here for the construction of city buildings.
In the middle of the 20th century, the amphitheater was sufficiently equipped to hold ceremonies, parades and even concerts here. Famous artists such as Luciano Pavarotti, Elton John and Eros Ramazzotti have performed here.
Pula Cathedral
Pula Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built in the 6th century. It is assumed that it was built on the foundations of a former ancient temple, however, during archaeological excavations, the ruins of Roman baths were found. Most likely, during the persecution of Christianity, courageous believers held their secret meetings here.
During the Middle Ages, the old building was completely destroyed, and in the 15th century the temple was rebuilt. Its recognizable Renaissance façade was added in the 16th century, and the free-standing Baroque bell tower was erected in the early 18th century. It is curious that as a material for its construction, they used the stone of which the famous ancient Roman amphitheater consisted.
Some early medieval interior details have been preserved inside the cathedral. On the floor in its altar part you can see the details of the ancient Byzantine mosaics of the 5th-6th centuries. Many of the columns remain from antiquity, and the graceful small windows were made already in the 13th century. The altar contains the relics of local saints-martyrs, found during the restoration in the 17th century.
Ruins of the ancient Roman forum
Temple of Augustus
The ancient Roman forum of Pula was located on the very coast of the Adriatic Sea. Even after the fall of the Roman Empire, life in this place did not stop - a medieval market square was located here. Previously, there were three temples on this site:
- The Temple of Augustus is the best preserved. It rises on a special podium, and its portal is made of four columns of the Corinthian order. In the Middle Ages, it was converted into a Christian temple, and then lost its sacred essence and was used as a barn. Subsequently, this luxurious antique building practically disappeared from sight - it was built up with city houses. Now in the temple of Augustus there are exhibitions of ancient Roman sculpture.
- The walls of the Temple of Diana were used in the construction of the city hall. The city council building was built at the end of the 13th century on an ancient Roman foundation. In its appearance, elements of Gothic and Renaissance are miraculously intertwined. The façade of the town hall is especially notable, represented by arcades with thin columns, over which an elegant balcony rises.
- The Temple of Jupiter, unfortunately, has not survived. It is assumed that in its place is now the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Chapel of the Virgin Mary Formosa
Chapel of the Virgin Mary Formosa
The ancient Byzantine temple was built in the 6th century. It is made in the shape of a Greek cross, which is very popular for Byzantine churches.
Previously, the chapel was part of a large Benedictine abbey, but it was destroyed in the 16th century. Some of the interior details of the church have been preserved in an amazing way - its floor and walls are decorated with luxurious mosaics, reminiscent of the famous mosaics from the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. Another part of the walls is painted with ancient frescoes of the 15th century, most likely imitating early Christian painting.
In 1605, Pula was captured by the Venetians, who plundered the chapel. However, not all of her riches were lost forever - many items of church utensils and masterpieces of sacred medieval art were transported to Venice. For example, the famous columns of Arabic alabaster that adorn the main altar of St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice, "originally" from the chapel of the Virgin Mary Formosa in Pula.
Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church
Like the Chapel of Our Lady of Formosa, the Church of St. Nicholas is a powerful rectangular stone structure reminiscent of the early Christian churches of Ravenna. This temple was built in the 6th century, but was partially altered in the 10th century. At the end of the 16th century, the church became Orthodox and received many parishioners - immigrants from Greece and Cyprus.
The Church of St. Nicholas is famous for its rich interior - several Greek icons of the 15th-16th centuries have been preserved here, and the magnificent iconostasis was created already in the 18th century.
Roman gate
Triumphal Arch of the Sergievs
Already at the beginning of the 1st century AD, Pula was surrounded by a powerful defensive wall, consisting of 10 city gates. The ancient Roman fortifications were demolished in the 19th century, but several gates survived:
- The Triumphal Arch of the Sergians is the oldest part of the fortress wall. It was built as a free-standing structure in 27 BC. The arch is dedicated to three brothers from the powerful Sergius family, who ruled Pula during the Roman Empire. The names of the Sergiev brothers are engraved on the gate; the frieze is also perfectly preserved, decorated with cupids, floral ornaments and bull's heads. (Address: Flanatička ul. 2)
- The Porta Gemina gate is also known as the twin gate because it is double - it consists of two arches. They were built much later than the triumphal arch of the Sergians - in the middle of the 2nd century AD - and were erected on the site of the more ancient city gates. The Porta Gemina gate is also decorated with a curious frieze with interesting antique decorative elements. Not far from these gates are the ruins of the ancient city walls.
- The gate of Hercules is closer in age to the triumphal arch of the Sergians - they were built in the 1st century. On their top is a sculptural image of the legendary Hercules - hence the name of the gate. The engraved names of the founder of Pula, Guy Cassius Longinus, who became famous as one of Caesar's conspirators and assassins, have also been partially preserved.(Address: Giardini ul. 5)
Fortress Kastel
Fortress Kastel
The Kastel Fortress is located on the top of a hill whose height reaches 34 meters. The ancient Roman Capitol used to rise here. The powerful fortress was built in the unusual shape of a four-pointed star. It is fortified with bastions, and a now-drained protective ditch runs around it.
The Kastel fortress was built by the Venetians in the 17th century and protected the city from the enemy during the Thirty Years War. In the 19th century, Pula came under the rule of Austria-Hungary, and the fortress was greatly rebuilt - barracks appeared here, and a reservoir was built in the northern part.
Since 1960, the Historical Museum of Istria has been opened in the fortress, the collections of which, however, are mainly devoted to navigation and military art. Here you can see old uniforms, anchors, weapons, ship models and insignia. In summer, colorful film festivals take place on the territory of the fortress.
In the northeastern part of the hill, there are the ruins of an ancient Roman theater of the 2nd century. And under the castle, on the slope of the cliff, there is a mysterious cave that enjoys an ill fame.
Archaeological Museum
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum is located near the gate of Hercules in the building of the former Austro-Hungarian gymnasium of the late 19th century. The museum itself was opened in 1949, but its creation would not have been possible if it were not for the Marshal of the Napoleonic army, Marmont. At the beginning of the 19th century, he received the title of Duke of Ragusa and became interested in the ancient Roman ruins of Pula. The Marshal soon became an avid collector and explorer.
Now the archaeological museum displays not only the collection of Marshal Marmont, but also many other amazing finds discovered in Istria. Here is the history of the region, dating back to the Stone Age. Among the selected exhibits are antique statues, stone gravestones, ceramics, glass and metal that belonged to the medieval inhabitants of Pula, as well as precious reliquaries and other items of church utensils during the Byzantine rule.
Aquarium
The Pula Aquarium is the largest in the whole of Croatia. Its location is curious - it is located in the defensive Austro-Hungarian Fort Verudela, which was built at the end of the 19th century. In 2002, the fortress was completely rebuilt, and now the aquarium occupies its first two floors.
The Pula Aquarium is home to the inhabitants of the Adriatic Sea, freshwater fish, as well as the fauna of the tropical seas and oceans. In the aquarium, you can watch funny seahorses, frightening jellyfish and bloodthirsty sharks. It is also worth going up to the rooftop of the fort, which offers stunning views of Pula and the Adriatic Sea.
The aquarium is located three kilometers from the center of Pula. Address: Verudela bb, Verudela
Brijuni Islands
Brijuni Islands
This group of 14 islands and reefs is located six kilometers from the center of Pula. It is now declared a national park of Croatia because of its unique flora and fauna. The famous oaks grow here, as well as laurels, cedars, pines, pine trees, myrtle, oleander, rosemary and even eucalyptus. Individual trees are more than a thousand years old. Wild hares and deer can still be found on the islands.
The Brijuni islands themselves boast a rich history - traces of ancient settlements, several medieval buildings have been preserved here, and at the end of the 19th century, active construction of an elite resort began here. After World War II, Joseph Broz Tito himself settled on the islands, and prominent cultural and political figures from all over the world came here.
Under Tito, a safari park appeared on the island, which is still operating. Many African animals live here, as well as the Indian elephant Lanka, donated by Indira Gandhi herself.
There are now many hotels and conference rooms on the Brijuni Islands. However, unique architectural monuments have also been preserved here: the ruins of ancient Roman villas and temples of the 2nd century AD, the remains of a Byzantine palace, an early Christian basilica of the 6th century and the Church of St. Herman of the 15th century. The island is also constantly undergoing archaeological research, during which, for example, traces of dinosaurs were discovered.
