Pula - Istrian Peninsula - Croatia

Pula Arena

Pula, a seafront city on the tip of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, is known for its protected harbor, beach-lined coast and Roman ruins.

Pula Arena

Settled in the prehistoric era and valued for its strategic location, Pula has been occupied, destroyed and rebuilt numerous times.

Pula Arena

The Romans, Ostrogoths and Venetians, as well as the Allied Forces in World War II, have each administered the city.

Dwarfing everything around it, the Pula Arena is an amazing site. A smaller cousin of Rome’s Colosseum, this amphitheatre was actually built at roughly the same time. Slightly removed from the Old Town, it’s several storeys high and 130 metres across.

Built under Emperor Vespasian, the arena could hold up to 20,000 spectators for its gladiatorial fights. Jump forward 1000 years and it was being used for jousting tournaments and fairs. The city stills uses it as a venue which really is a testament to Roman craftsmanship. It’s possible to visit inside to see the arena up close and the museum exhibits that are held down in its passages.  The view from outside is pretty remarkable and best of all - free.

 Wandering down to the old town, found these at a local bakery. Fried dough balls.

Roman remains

 Following the town wall, we passed through the local food markets and restaurants.

The entrance to the old town has a "gate" or the Arch of the Sergii. Situated at the end of the Old Town’s busiest pedestrian street, the arch make quite the impression. Also known as the “Golden Gate”, it once stood right by the city walls and Porta Aurea gate. Even though Pula’s city walls were mostly removed, you can still see small hints of them by the arch. Dating back to 27 BC, it was built by and for the Sergii family. The main street is named after them as well.


Once through the Arch of the Sergii we found ourselves in Pula Old Town. Narrow pedestrian streets leading through the circular city centre. The main street Sergijevaca has a mixture of modern buildings, as well as Venetian architecture scattered about. What we were looking for, were Roman ruins.

 Hidden behind residential buildings, next to a park, and walking through a carpark, was this amazing mosaic floor.

Known as the “Punishment of Dirce” this ancient Roman mosaic floor dates back to around the 3rd century. The mosaics were only uncovered after the houses above were bombed during World War II. I wonder what other artefacts are waiting to be found in the old town.

 Wandering the streets of Pula, we happened upon a perfumery.  I couldn't resist and got two bottles. One of Rose, and another, a woodsy spicy blend, with top notes of bergamot, mandarin, peony, and middle notes of jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, lily, lichen, and base notes of vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood, amber, oak moss and musk.

Temple of Augustus and the town hall

More wandering of the streets, and we found the Forum square, complete with a Roman Temple. This temple has a story stretching back to 14 AD. Changing with the times, it went from a temple to Emperor Augustus, to a church , and now a museum.

Other side of the Forum Square

We kept walking and found our way back to the car, as we had an easy landmark in which to find it.