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Which city is situated on seven hills, has a magnificent Amphitheatre and is not Rome? The answer is - Pula.
No, it is not a mistake – you are, indeed, in front of Pula, the largest city in Istria. We suggest visiting it at moderate pace, with a lot of patience and with your eyes wide open. Visiting Pula in one go is not a simple venture, therefore, prepare yourself carefully and remember: Pula is an enchantress with thousand appearances which has been casting spell on its visitors for centuries. Many of them who have once passed under the Sergius’ Triumphal Arch (from the end of the 1st century B.C. and the beginning of the 1st century A.D.), or walked through its famous Arena, a Roman amphitheatre (from the 1st century B.C.) usually long to come back forever. Therefore, it is not surprising at all that many legends of the city still live on and tell us how the city was founded by the Colchidians who, after chasing Jason and the Golden Fleece, settled down here and did not want to return to their homeland, and that Dante Allighieri and Richard the Lion Heart in person walked along its streets and admired its beauty. Pula is a fascinating city in the true sense of the word with its rich antique heritage which on every step reminds us of the saying of Cassiodorus that Roman patricians used to live here “like Gods”.
If you have a look at its Austro-Hungarian heritage, beautiful and worth of respect, and if you consider the fact that in the 19th century (in 1848) Pula was the chief military port of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy where, among others, the famous James Joyce settled for a while, you will realize that you are beginning to penetrate deeply under the tissue of long and glorious history of the city which has always vaunted its spirit of European cosmopolitism.
Therefore, go straight to the starting point - Kaštel! Welcome to Pula!
Highlights
- Following the traces of Roman gladiators: Arena - a Roman Amphitheatre
- A walk through the past - from the most ancient point of the city ? Kaštel (The Historical Museum of Istria, The Little Roman Theatre, The Archaeological Museum of Istria)
- Relaxing Mediterranean lifestyle: have coffee with James Joyce near the Sergius? Triumphal Arch and with Agripina at the Forum (with a view of the City hall and the Temple of Augustus)
- The ecclesiastical places in town: the Chapel of St Mary Formosa, the Franciscan Monastery, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the orthodox Church of St Nicholas
- Following the traces of Franz Joseph in 1891: from the Arsenal (the shipyard Uljanik) to St Mary of the Sea (the naval church) and passing through the Naval memorial cemetery to the fortress Stoja
- The defensive ring of Pula ? the fortresses: Venetian - Kaštel, Ovine, Stoja, Bourgignon, Verudela, Monte Paradiso, Tourtijan, San Daniele, Monvidal, San Giorgio, Punta Christo, Monte Grosso, Munide