Istria is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Croatian Adriatic. One of the main destinations on the peninsula is the city of Pula.
Pula, with more than three thousand years of traditions, is the largest city in Istria. The first settlement was founded by the Illyrians. Over time, it was part of the Roman Empire, the Venetian Republic, the Habsburg Empire, and Italy.
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Attractions in Pula
Amphitheater
Perhaps the most famous attraction in Istria, it is among the five largest Roman amphitheaters.
The elliptical structure, which could accommodate 23,000 spectators, has a longer axis of 132 meters and a shorter axis of 105 meters. As it was partly built on a hillside, the land-facing side is two-storied, while the sea-facing side has three levels, with the entrance on this latter side. The arena is also elliptical, measuring 68×42 meters.
The building is now relatively far from the sea, as part of the bay was filled in over the centuries. In Roman times, it stood right by the shore, and humans and animals killed during the games were disposed of in the sea through a short channel.
Today, the amphitheater hosts concerts, opera performances, festivals, and sporting events.
Arch of Sergii
The triumphal arch is one of the most important monuments of Roman classical art. It was built by Salvius Postumus from the Sergii family in honor of three members of his family.
It’s a simple arched gate with an attic, where statues of the Sergii once stood. Today, only the inscriptions remain. The central arched opening is richly profiled and mostly decorated with plant motifs. At the top of the arch is a relief of an eagle fighting a snake. The straight line of the arch and the wreath is closed by two triangular surfaces, in which Victory – Victoria symbols are symmetrically depicted. The frieze bears the inscription „Salvia Postuma”.
Temple of Augustus
Located on the western part of the old town, on the forum of the former Roman city, this temple is dedicated to the gods of Rome and Emperor Augustus.
It’s one of the most beautiful examples of Roman cult architecture, with a strong influence of late Hellenistic art visible in the decoration of the friezes and column capitals.
The building is 16 meters wide, 8 meters high, with a square floor plan. It stands on a high pedestal with a deep porch, and four columns on the facade support the pediment.
Porta Gemina
The double gate is one of the gates that remained after the demolition of the city wall in the 19th century. This 2nd-century structure is the oldest gate in Pula.
Gate of Hercules
Located about 100 meters from the double gate, it’s the oldest Roman monument in the city, dating from the 1st century BC.
The keystone depicts the head of Hercules, who was the patron god of ancient Pola. It bears the names of Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus and Caius Cassius Longinus, who were commissioned by the Roman Senate to establish the colony of Pola. The founding of Pola is dated to the period between 47-44 BC.
Kaštel Fortress
Located in the historical center of Pula, on top of the central hill, 34 meters high.
The Baroque fortress was built on the ruins of a medieval castle, which in turn was built on the remains of a Bronze Age settlement, as well as Histri and Roman layers. The fortification, built between 1630-1633, was necessitated by the need for protection against increasingly destructive artillery fire. The fortress was designed and supervised by French military engineer Antoine De Ville. The fortress was originally completed as a square Tuscan-style stronghold, with shorter sides and four strong bastions at the corners, capable of accommodating 24 cannons.
The fortress was rebuilt and expanded in the 17th and 18th centuries, with the original southern entrance relocated to the western side in 1703. Further renovations took place in the second half of the 19th century under Austrian rule. Later, it increasingly lost its defensive significance.
Today, it houses the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria (Museo storico e navale dell’Istria).
Zerostrasse
Pula’s underground tunnel, built during World War II as a shelter from air raids. It’s now one of the most visited places in the city.
It’s an extensive tunnel system under the city, with nearly 200 passages of varying lengths discovered so far. About 400 meters of this is open to visitors. The temperature remains between 14-18 degrees Celsius year-round.
Chapel of St. Mary Formosa
This Byzantine early Christian basilica was built in the 6th century as part of a Benedictine abbey. Its construction was supported by Archbishop Maximian of Ravenna.
The three-nave basilica had two chapels, of which the southern one remains to this day. The wall paintings were reconstructed in the 15th century based on earlier early Christian images. When the Venetians conquered the city in 1605, many valuable items were taken to St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The church was built in the 6th century when the city became an episcopal see. Early Christians prayed at this site in Roman times.
It was expanded in the 10th century and renovated in the 15th century. It gained its current form in the 16th century when a Renaissance facade was added.
The church still contains Romanesque and Byzantine elements, and the upper windows in the nave were also built at this time. Mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries can still be seen in the altar area. The windows were rebuilt in Gothic style in 1242. The bell tower in front of the church was built between 1671 and 1707 using stones from the amphitheater.
Church and Monastery of St. Francis
Built in the second half of the 13th century, it was rebuilt in Romanesque style in 1314.
On the front wall of the sanctuary, there are remains of Gothic frescoes depicting saints. The rectangular monastery was built simultaneously with the adjacent church.
The sacristy and chapter house are located in the northeast wing, from which a monumental Gothic portal and double bifora open towards the cloister and the monks’ cells, while the refectory, kitchen, and utility rooms were in the northwest wing. In the center is the courtyard with a well.
The monastery was rebuilt several times between the 14th and 17th centuries, and it gained its current form at the beginning of the 18th century.
Fort Punta Christo and Suspension Bridge
Located northwest of the city, near the settlement of Stinjan, this fortification was built during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy era.
The circular fort has been well preserved, and festivals are sometimes held here. Unfortunately, the area is not open to the public.
There’s a small bay on the shore with a suspension bridge spanning over it. If you’re brave, cross it!
Aquarium Pula
Located 4 km south of the city center in the Verudela Fort built in 1886, this is Pula’s aquarium.
You can see Adriatic marine species here, with about 200 different species to observe.
All information can be found here!
Brijuni National Park
Located west of Pula, the Brijuni National Park consists of a group of 14 islands known as the Brioni (Brijuni) archipelago.
They take the protection of the archipelago seriously: you need to buy a ticket, and tourists are taken around by electric train.
It was populated as early as Roman times. Remnants from this period can still be seen today: besides the ruins of Roman villas, the remains of a Venus sanctuary can also be viewed. Architectural relics from the Middle Ages include a Byzantine fortification and a sixth-century basilica.
After World War II, the leader of Yugoslavia, Tito, established his private residence here. For decades, it couldn’t be visited. Three years after Tito’s death, in 1983, the islands were declared a national park and reopened to the public in 1985.
You can also visit a small safari park on the island. Here live the animals gifted to Tito and their descendants.
All information can be found here!
Beaches and coasts near Pula
There are many smaller and larger coastal areas around the city, of which three beaches stand out.
Plaža Ambrela
This is perhaps the best of the beaches around the city. It’s located 300 meters from the Aquarium Pula.
It’s a small beach surrounded by forest, with white pebbles and shallow water, offering pedal boat rentals and several restaurants nearby.
Fažana
Located about 8 km north of Pula, this town’s beach is very popular.
It has a white pebble shore, and the water deepens slowly, making it ideal for children as well.
Bijeca
The bay of Medulin settlement, southeast of Pula, is the most famous beach.
It’s about 1 km long and is Istria’s only sandy beach. This also makes it extremely popular and often crowded during high season.
You can walk far into the water, there are island-like shoals, and there’s also a water playground.