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Pula

Pula Attractions

Each year Istria’s largest city, which is located to the south west of the peninsula, warmly greets its visitors. Fans of culture and the arts love to return here, as well as all those who have a curious soul and want to learn more about Istria’s rich history. Pula’s most important buildings are found in its centre, and the largest is definitely the amphitheatre, the famous “Arena” where gladiators used to fight. Today it is a stage where concerts are often held, as well as film screenings and performances by the greatest Croatian and global artists. Asides from the many valuable and interesting artefacts from Roman times, of which many are still visible in the city centre, there are interesting sights from other historical periods: well-preserved cathedrals, churches, chapels, a castle from the 17th century, interesting examples of Austro-Hungarian architecture from the end of the 19th century, and a series of other interesting places. Pula’s indented coastline is particularly interesting for tourists. It is 190 km long and runs alongside extremely clear sea and tidy beaches that all those who love a true Mediterranean holiday can enjoy.

Top 10 attractions

	The Arena amphitheatre "Arena" Which is the sixth largest amphitheatre in the world and is commonly known as the Arena was built in the 1st century. Gladiator fights used to be held here, but today it an open-air stage.
	The Golden Gate (Triumphal Arch of the Sergii) One of Pula’s more famous landmarks from the Roman period, built in 27 B.C. by the Sergii family in honour of those family members who held high positions in Pula.
	Temple of Augustus Built between 2 to 14 B.C., dedicated to the Goddess Roma and Emperor Augustus.
	Twin Gates and City Walls During the Antique period and later in medieval times, Pula was surrounded by walls that were destroyed at the beginning of the 18th century. Their remains are visible in the city centre.
	Gate of Hercules The oldest example of Roman architecture in Pula, built in the middle of 1 B.C. It has an engraving of the head of Hercules, who was the protector of the Antique people of Pula.
	Churches, monasteries, cathedrals There are a number of extremely interesting sacral sites worth visiting in Pula and its surrounding areas. Some examples are the church and monastery of St Francis from the 14th century, a cathedral dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary from the 6th century and the Orthodox church of St. Nicholas from the 6th century.
	Castle A star shaped building with four bastions that sits on the top of the city’s central hill. It was built in the 14th century on the remains of a Roman temple during the time of the Venetian rule.
	Forum Built in the 1st century by the sea. In Roman times, it was surrounded by the Temples of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, and was Pula’s main square in classical and medieval times.
	Small Roman Theatre On the slopes under the castle there are the remains of a theatre from the Roman period (2nd century). There are also the remains of a large Roman theatre from the 1st century on the city’s southern border.
	Austrian architecture An interesting blend of Mediterranean and continental architecture can be seen in a number of buildings in Pula which were built for the needs of the Austro-Hungarian navy (naval hospital, naval graveyard, military hydrographic institute…)