Pula sold me after I found out that we could watch gladiator fights in a 1st century AD Roman Amphitheatre. I mean, how many places can you do that? So here are some highlights, but the Roman warrior clashes are what I’m looking forward to with the kid!
Pula Arena
The arena was originally designed to accommodate over 20,000 spectators in the Roman era. It is the sixth-largest surviving Roman arena in the world. Pula was in danger of losing its arena in the 16th century when the Venetian senate proposed moving it stone by stone to Venice. The arena remained through the efforts of the Venetian senator Gabriele Emo who is much celebrated in Pula and a headstone can be found honoring him on the second tower.
You can tour the arena today and the underground passages host a museum on olive growing includes mills, presses, vessels, and amphorae, which are large pots used for storing and transporting olive oil and wine since the Roman era.
Hours: May – Sept., daily, 8 am – 8 pm, the hours are shorter during the off-season.
Admission: 50 kunas (Croatian currency) for the tour and gladiator show is 30 kunas for adults and 15 kunas for children.
Address: Flavijevska ul., 52100, Pula, Croatia
Zerotrasse
An extensive historic underground tunnel network was built during World War I to shelter civilians in case of air raids.
Hours: June 10 am to 8 pm; July- Aug. 10 am – 10 pm and Sept. 10 am – 8 pm., daily.
Admission: Adults 15 kunas, children 5 kunas, and children under six or disabled adults are free.
Address: Carrarina ul. 3, 52100, Pula, Croatia
Forum
Is the central square of ancient Roman and medieval Pula. It is now a large piazza ringed by a Roman temple and Pula’s Gradska Palaca (Town Hall), which was constructed in the 13th century using part of the Roman Temple of Diana as the back wall. One time there were three temples here.
Address: Forum 3, 52100, Pula, Croatia
Augustov Hram (Temple of Augustus)
The last remaining temple in the Forum was built between 2 BC and 14 AD on the northwest side of the square. On the front side there is an inscription: ROMAE ET AVGUSTO CAESARI DIVI FILIO PATRI PATRIAE. Sadly, the temple was hit by an Allied bomb in World War II but was rebuilt with the efforts of the Allies. Inside the small temple, you can see a collection of ancient sculptures from Istria, with marble imperial statues.
Hours: Mid-May – June, weekdays 9 am – 9 pm; July to Aug., weekdays 9 am – 10 pm; Sept., weekdays 9 am – 8 pm; Oct. – mid-Oct., weekdays 9 am – 7 pm, weekends 9 am – 3 pm.
Admission: 10 kunas
Address: Forum b.b., 52100, Pula, Croatia
Floor Mosaic
Features geometric patterns and plants and tells the story of the punishment of Dirce, who, according to the Greeks, lies under the enraged bull to who she is about to be fastened.
The entire mosaic composition is divided into two equal sections with altogether 40 decorated areas dominated by geometrical patterns with animal details (fish and bird). This mosaic covered the floor of a central room of a Roman house, probably from the 3rd century. It has been preserved at the site where it was found.
Address: (It is behind a car park on Flaciusova – look for brown signs.) Ul. Sergijevaca 18, 52100, Pula, Croatia
Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria (Povijesni i pomorski muzej Istre – Museo storico e navale dell’Istria)
It is in a 17th-century Venetian fortress, the Kastel. The museum includes the history of shipbuilding, a collection of arms, Hapsburg relics, uniforms and military equipment, and other artifacts. Seeing the museum also allows you to check out the fortress.
Hours: April-Sept. 8 am – 9 pm daily; Oct.- March 9 am – 5 pm, daily.
Admission: Adults 20 kunas, Students 10 kunas, and Children 5 kunas.
Address: Gradinski uspon 6, 52100 Pula Croatia – R. Hrvatska
Slavoluk Sergijevaca (Triumphal Arch of Sergi):
Was erected in 29 BC by the powerful Sergi family in Roman times. It is lavishly decorated and was once part of the town’s walls and was built in memory of three Sergi relatives who had been great warriors. The arch is found between Giardini and Sergijevaca ulica.
Address: Flanatička ul. 2, 52100, Pula, Croatia
Rimsko Kasaliste (Roman Theater)
Erected in the 1st century on a piece of land just below the fortress. Here you can see the remains of the stage foundations and a part of the semi-circular viewing area of the theatre. At one time it could hold 5,000 people. It is free to visit these ruins.
Address: Hercuov pro. 1, 52100, Pula, Croatia
Museum Olei Histriae (Museum of Olive Oil Pula)
Tells the story of olive growing in Istria. Olive oil from this region was highly valued in ancient Roman times. Each visit ends with olive oil tasting.
Hours: 10 am to 8 pm daily
Admission: Adults, 50 kunas and Children 6-15 years, 25 kunas.
Address: Ul. Svetog Teodora, 52100, Pula, Croatia
Other Sites
- Archeoloski Muzej Istre (Archeological Museum of Istre) Located across the street during construction
- Herkulova Vrata (Gate of Hercules)
- Porta Gemina (Twin Gates)
- Kapela Marije Formoza (Basilica of St. Mary Formosa)
- Aquarium Pula
- Sveta Srca Gallery (Sacred Hearts Gallery)
- Katedrala uznesenja Blazene Djevice Marije (Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
How did we get to Pula?
We will be arriving from Ljubljana and plan to use the bus. I found a bus leaving Ljubljana at 7 am arriving at 1 pm. This took lots of research, and from what I found using Buscroatia.com was the easiest way to get to Pula using public transportation. You can also use Flixbus, but it is not as flexible and schedules were not as good. Also, you can take a train to Trieste from Ljubljana, but then the local bus service is not as often from there and you have to transfer your luggage from a train to a bus.
