I ask: what is there to see - in Pula? - Ancient Roman arena, - they answer - huge, the sixth largest in the world.
Well, I have seen arenas, thank God, the same Colosseum in Rome.
In general, I decided not to go to Pula, but to spend the day at sea, in ours. Because before that, they went to Plitvice Lakes for the whole day. Then - to Rovinj and Porec. When to swim?
However, curiosity overcame, and in the morning I ran to the tour bus: “Will you take it?” and went to see Poole.
And she was very happy. Because the Arena, of course, is grandiose, but even without it, there is something to see in Pula. By the way, this is the oldest city in Croatia (it was founded by the ancient Greeks 3 thousand years ago - they say, the Argonauts). Now Pula is the main and largest city of the Istrian peninsula, with its own airport. And, perhaps, the main attraction of Istria.
- Lim fjord
So Poole. Imagine two huge pincers protruding into the sea. And in the depths of this bay is a hilly ledge with a flat top. Well, how can you not build a city in such a strategic place!
The location of many other ancient coastal cities was chosen according to the same principle - as a rule, on a hill or rock protruding into the sea, from where you can control the area. The same Rovinj, Turkish and Side, Italian, and so on.
However, each of these cities has its own peculiarity. Say, neighboring Rovinj. In it, everyone, without saying a word, immediately rushes up to the top of the mountain. In Pula, the main movement is around the hill. Rovinj is like a joyful flower. Pula is an adventure book, where every step has its own intrigue. Solving them is fun!
Map of Pula with attractions
Arena
We arrive in Pula. To the right is a harbor full of ships.
To the left, behind cypresses and Lebanese cedars, the Arena rises.
It stands a little away from the hill, outside the walls that surrounded the ancient city. A huge building made of light Istra stone. Indeed, impressive. Built in the 1st century BC, under Vespasian. It was built simultaneously with the Roman Colosseum. Accommodated up to 20 tons of spectators.
In the Middle Ages, jousting tournaments were held in the Arena. Today it is used for various festivals and sporting events.
In the basement under the Arena (where gladiators used to prepare for battle) there is a museum dedicated to the production of wine and olive oil in ancient times.
We go around in a circle.
And we are heading to the hill on which the old city was located.
Once the city was surrounded by fortified walls and had 10 gates. Now a small fragment of the fortress wall and three gates have been preserved: Double, Hercules and Golden (or Sergius Arch).
We will go around the hill counterclockwise.
At first, on the right hand, an archaeological area appears, surrounded by modern houses. It was opened recently, research work is underway here, so for now it is closed to the public.
Soon the modern houses recede and we enter the old city.
And here are the houses that appeared before us:
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Having walked a little along Kandierova Street, we found ourselves in front of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with a separate bell tower.
In the 3rd-4th centuries, even during the persecution of Christians, people who professed Christianity gathered at this place. As soon as in 313 the emperor Constantine in Milan declared freedom of religion and Christianity began to spread rapidly in the Roman Empire, a cathedral was built in Pula on the site of former meetings of Christians - in the 4th century.
A century later, the church of St. Thomas was built next to it, which stood until the 17th century and was dismantled in 1657. Now there is a small park on the site of the church.
The area in front of the cathedral is named after this already non-existent church - St. Thomas.
The church was destroyed, but around the same time, in the 17th century, a bell tower was erected. For its construction, stone blocks from the Arena were used.
Inside the cathedral is very modest. Fragments of mosaics of the 5th-6th centuries have been preserved near the altar, but we got there during the service and did not see them.
On this day, some kind of religious event was taking place in Poole. It was empty in the morning hours. When I arrived at this square a couple of hours later, I found a cluster of men in black suits in front of the cathedral. Men in suits flocked to the cathedral from all sides, met in front of the cathedral and discussed something animatedly.
Forum. Temple of Augustus and City Hall
Venetian windows:
And here we have the Forum: an elongated rectangular square with the temple of Augustus and the Town Hall.
Initially, on the site of the Town Hall there was a temple of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. To the right of the main temple was the temple of Diana, to the left - the temple of Augustus.
Only the temple of Augustus has survived to this day. The rear facade of the temple of Diana is built into the backdrop of the Town Hall and is clearly visible.
The Temple of Augustus was erected by the Romans in the year 14, during the life of Christ. In the Middle Ages it was a Christian church. In the 19th century, grain was stored in it.
Now inside the temple there is a small exposition of ancient Roman sculpture - very modest. Entrance - 10 kunas.
The town hall was built from the 10th to the 14th century and absorbed all the architectural trends of these centuries (and also included the wall of the ancient temple of Diana).
Roman mosaics "The Punishment of Dirk" and the house of Agrippina
From the Forum we continue to move in a circle.
We turn right into one of the lanes, pass through the summer cafe and go into the courtyard. Roman mosaics were discovered in this courtyard during World War II. A bomb fell near this place, and when they cleared the rubble, they opened the floors of the ancient villa.
The plot of the main mosaic is Dirk's Punishment. Queen Dirk tormented Antiope for many years, given to her as a slave. Antiope fled and hid in a shepherd's hut, with the shepherd's sons Zeta and Amphion. Dirka, who overtook her, ordered the brothers to tie Antiope to the horns of a bull. The shepherd, who arrived in time, revealed to the brothers the secret that Antiope was their mother, and Zeus was their father. The brothers untied their mother, tied the cruel Dirka to the horns and let the angry bull gallop through the bushes and ravines.
Almost opposite the mosaics, only towards the hill, there is a pointer to the House of Agrippina.
We go up the stairs and behind the first house, in the courtyard, we see the excavated foundations of an antique house of the 1st century BC, built before the Forum. The house was named "House of Agrippina" because of the marble portrait of Agrippina Minor found here.
The balconies of a residential building hang over the archaeological zone, and the proximity of ancient and modern times looks ordinary. And that is to say, in this place, wherever you dig, you will stumble upon traces of other cultures: ancient Greek, Roman, Venetian.
Arch of Sergius and the Golden Gate
We come to the arch of Sergius - built not in honor of the triumph of the emperor, but with the funds of the wealthy Sergius family and named after her.
The arch was built into the Golden Gate - the most solemn and richly decorated of the 10 gates of the fortress wall. It was the main entrance to the ancient Pula.
In the 19th century, most of the fortress wall was demolished. The Arch of Sergia now stands on its own, nevertheless it looks very representative and, indeed, marks the main entrance to the historical center.
In front of the Arch of Sergia is a wide square, festive and elegant, where various city festivals are held. The square is called - Trg Portarata, "the market in front of the gate."
Immediately behind the arch, at a table in a summer cafe, the Irish writer James Joyce sits - in the form of a copper monument.
In Pula, the writer spent half a year (from October 1904 to March 1905), teaching English to naval officers in a building next to the Arch of Sergia.
He did not like Pula, he even called it “naval Siberia” (oh, he had not been to Siberia), he wrote that Istria was inhabited by “ignorant Slavs”. Unable to withstand such a backwater, he moved to Trieste at the first opportunity, and then to Zurich.
And in Poole, in the building where the writer once taught, there was a cafe "Ulysses", on the open veranda of which they put Joyce for all eternity.
Fortress wall. Herculean and Double Gates
From Trg Portorata begins the shady Boulevard Jardini, which stretches along the fortress wall. In this place, a fortress wall lined with gray stone has been preserved.
On the right side rises the bank building - a striking example of Mussolini's architecture.
On the left is another surviving gate of the old Pula - Hercules. They are slightly pushed inward and turned towards the ancient road that came up to the gate.
At the top of the arch, the half-erased image of Hercules is still visible.
The inscription with the names of Roman officials who arrived in Pula in the 1st century BC has also been almost erased. with the appointment to establish a Roman colony here.
Along the fortress wall we reach the third surviving gate - Double.
Double Gates:
Behind the gate is the entrance to the Pula Archaeological Museum.
The circle is closed.
We walked around the old city in a circle along the foot of the hill. It's time to go upstairs.
Numerous stairways rise from the lower circular road to the top of the hill.
For example, this one:
Or this one:
We will go up St. Francis Street to see another attraction of Pula along the way - the monastery and church of St. Francis
Church of St. Francis
Behind a very simple and austere façade hides the same austere church made of gray stone, the only bright spot in which is a gilded iconostasis.
Frail palm trees grow in the monastery courtyard. From there you can also see the bell tower with a single bell.
The Franciscans appeared in Pula in the 13th century. In 1314 they built this church.
Fortress Kastel
And we rise even higher and soon find ourselves in front of the entrance to the fortress, or Kastel.
Entrance to the fortress is paid - 20 kunas.
It is small, almost square, with 4 bastions at the corners. In front of the walls are ravelins.
The fortress was built by the Venetians. Now it houses the Historical Museum of Istria.
Spectator rows are installed in the inner courtyard of the fortress, concerts and performances are held here.
Some artifacts are piled in the corner, which, apparently, did not find a place in the museum's exposition: a boat, a weapon, an aircraft propeller.
I didn’t go to the museum, I immediately climbed the fortress wall and walked around the perimeter of the fortress.
Wall climb:
The view from the fortress wall is wonderful. You can see both the Arena and the harbor, the houses and churches of Pula.
Ravelins:
For a better view, I climbed the lighthouse.
Exactly at noon, the bells rang out, and there was some movement in the harbor. The plane landed spectacularly on the water.
A little further (in the photo - on the left) cranes lined up in a row were visible. In the summer, every evening in Pula, the light and music show "Glowing Giants" is held. Certain parts of the mechanisms are illuminated to the music, the image is doubled due to reflection in the water. They say it looks very impressive, and the music is chosen well. The performance lasts a quarter of an hour, runs from 8 pm to midnight at the beginning of each hour.
On the other side of the harbor (and from the entrance to the fortress) I noticed a small amphitheater, which was located inside the city walls - unlike the big Arena. Small amphitheater practically adjoins the fortress - on the back side of the entrance.
Having bypassed the fortress along the top, I went down and rounded the wall.
Having reached the amphitheater, I went down the visual rows to the stage.
A narrow street led me to the Jardini Boulevard.
The square in front of the Arch of Sergia looked much busier than in the morning hours, and the weather had “tightened up”.
It seems that Joyce, too, looked more favorably at the crowd scurrying past him.
I went looking for the chapel of St. Mary of Formosa, a modest 6th-century chapel left over from a large Benedictine abbey. The value of this chapel is that it has survived to this day without alterations, safe and sound. Only the mosaics were removed from the floors and sent to the Archaeological Museum.
But on the diagram I followed, this chapel was marked not quite correctly. I went out to Dante Square with a large round fountain,
in the corner she saw the Church of Mary the Merciful,
twirled around, Formosa did not find. And it was necessary to cross the square, turn right and reach the intersection with Maximilianova street. This is where the chapel stands.
I went out to Maksimilianova Street a little higher, and there the young man drew my attention to a small two-story house. "The oldest house," he declared authoritatively. And, indeed, a sign “Kulturno dobro” hung on it. Here is the house.
Underground passages Zeroshtrasse
So, I walked around the hill, visited the top. It remains only to climb inside the hill.
Well, there is such a possibility. You will see such a sign - look for the entrance to the dungeon nearby.
Underground passages under the hill were dug by the Austrians. Since the middle of the 19th century, one of the main Austrian naval bases on the Adriatic was located in Pula. Now the tunnel houses exhibitions. The cost of the underground walk is 15 kunas.
The passages are connected in the center of the hill in a large hall.
I entered the tunnel near the Double Gates, and emerged in front of the Cathedral.
There was a solemn service in the Cathedral. The morning men in black suits now stood in white robes and sang in unison.
On that high note, my acquaintance with Poole ended. After Pula, we had a trip to the Lim Fjord, and we had to hurry.
And I really liked Pula. A fascinating city, and without it, the idea of Istria would be completely different.
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The beautiful and ancient city of Pula in Croatia is a very popular place on the Istrian peninsula, visited by tourists not only to relax on the cleanest Adriatic Sea, but also to get acquainted with numerous historical and architectural sights. And no wonder, because the city is already three thousand years old, and over the years it has seen many ups and downs, different peoples inhabited its streets, leaving behind monumental architectural structures. Let's take a closer look at the history of the city of Pula, as well as with the modern component of it: beaches, places for recreation and entertainment for tourists.
History of the city of Pula
Arriving in this amazing Croatian city, you will probably hear that its first founders were those same mythical Greek Argonauts who set off on a journey for the legendary Golden Fleece. As we know, their journey was not successful, and then they decided to settle on the beautiful coast of the Adriatic Sea, forming the settlement of Pula. Of course, the attitude towards myths can be twofold, but the fact that the city was formed by ancient Greek settlers who arrived on the shores of the North Adriatic from Hellas is a truth established by scientists, so the history of the city of Pula spans three millennia.
The city experienced its heyday already under the Romans in the period from the first to the fifth century AD, when the powerful representatives of the Roman Empire, estimating the favorable strategic position of the city, carried out mass building of streets, equipping Pula with infrastructure - roads, water supply, cultural objects and monuments of Antiquity - Forum, theaters, temples. From the sixth to the middle of the twelfth century, the city of Pula was owned by different peoples, one by one replacing each other - Ostrogoths, Franks, Byzantines, Slavs, Lombards, and bringing something new to this seaside settlement. Since ancient times, the city was surrounded by a powerful fortress wall with ten fortified gates, which survived until the nineteenth century, and now appears before us in the form of fragments and a few surviving gates.
From 1150 until the end of the eighteenth century, the city was under the rule of the Venetian Republic, it was an ambiguous time when Pula was under siege more than once, the fact is that it stands on the head line of the Adriatic coast and when attacked by enemies, it always suffered the very first. And there were many conflicts over the possession of this important strategic point of the Adriatic!
The battles for possession of the city of Pula did not end even after the Napoleonic Wars, then the settlement was in the power of Austria-Hungary, battles took place on its territory more than once, during which monuments of antiquity, architecture, and art suffered. The town of Pula at one time was owned by the French, Italians, Austrians, Yugoslavs. Pula became part of Italy after the First World War, and part of Yugoslavia after the Second World War, and only when the state of Yugoslavia collapsed in 1991, the city of Pula became part of an independent Croatia.
Today, the city of Pula in Croatia annually attracts tens of thousands of travelers from different parts of the world, as it is a popular tourist center of the Istrian Adriatic coast, where there are many comfortable beaches, including nudist ones, magnificent nature, very clean sea water, a lot of ancient sights, wide opportunities to get acquainted with the rich gastronomy of the region.
The Mediterranean climate reigns in the Croatian resort town of Pula, in the summer months the water temperature in the Adriatic Sea is gaining its record twenty-three degrees, while the air warms up to twenty-nine degrees. The water has a comfortable temperature for swimming only by the end of June and continues to be warm until the end of August, it is during this period that it is recommended to relax in Pula with children.
Pula resort beaches
- An ideal place to relax with children. The beach, covered with small pebbles, is located four kilometers from the city of Pula in the village of Pescana Uvala. The sea is always very calm here, there are no high waves and storms, since the beach is hidden between the peninsulas, and also, it is not deep here. For children there is a special descent into the water, which is very convenient. The nature here is very picturesque, the rocky formations in the far part of the beach are especially beautiful, from where local boys often dive into the turquoise water. There is no infrastructure on the beach, so if you need a noisy and active sea holiday, then you are not here, but families with children will be very quiet and calm here.
- a sandy beach in the seaside village of Medulin, located in the suburbs of Pula. It is shallow here, the water is clean, so the beach is often chosen as a vacation spot for families with children. However, the beach is not very clean, and there is still a problem when entering the water, despite the fact that the coast is covered with sand, the entrance to the sea is uncomfortable and rocky, you can easily hurt your feet. From the infrastructure on the beach there is a cafe, a fairly large supermarket, a children's goods store.
- locals say that this is the best pebble beach in Pula, because it is located in a picturesque place and is surrounded by majestic rocks, lush green groves. This crowded beach has the Blue Flag of the European Union, it offers the standard amenities for vacationers: sun loungers, sun umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, cafes, toilets, a playground for children, and from entertainment, tourists can take advantage of the offer to make a diving dive, a boat trip on a boat.
- a beautiful beach three kilometers from Pula, surrounded by groves. The beach cover is pebbly and rocky, but for the convenience of vacationers there are two convenient entrances to the water. The water in the sea is clear here, so many tourists go scuba diving. Near the beach there is a campsite Stozha, where tourists have the opportunity to play active games for a fee: volleyball, golf, basketball.
- an excellent beach in the center of Pula near the Pula hotel, on the shore of the main bay. This beach also has a Blue Flag award. There is an excellent infrastructure and there are sun loungers, umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, showers, restaurants, a playground, sports grounds with opportunities for playing football, volleyball, tennis, there is a rental point for water equipment and equipment. The beach provides all the amenities for a comfortable stay for the disabled, including a gentle descent into the sea.
Sights in Pula
- a majestic ancient Roman building that can be seen from anywhere in the city. This largest Roman amphitheater is the same age as the Roman Colosseum. The amphitheater was erected in the first century BC by order of the emperor Vespasian. The structure was built outside the city, a wide main street led to it (today it is the center). The amphitheater had impressive dimensions: one hundred and thirty meters long and one hundred meters wide. During the construction, white stone was used, mined on the territory of the Istra Peninsula. The building turned out to be spacious, it was designed for twenty thousand spectators. In ancient times, gladiator fights took place in the arena, and knightly tournaments took place during the Middle Ages. Later, the battlefield became a pasture for cattle, then - a venue for city fairs. In the nineteenth century, it was decided to carry out the restoration of what was left of the majestic Roman heritage site. Now the amphitheater has an arena in the shape of an ellipse, the building is also fixed by four powerful towers, and from the top rows for spectators, visitors can take the most successful photos of this attraction, as well as the city of Pula from above. Today, the ancient traditions of holding gladiator fights in the amphitheater arena are being revived in the city, only artificial blood is allowed here, and staged fights are staged. In addition, major city holidays, celebrations and festivals are held here, attracting a huge number of tourists to Pula from neighboring Croatian resorts. In the ancient cellars, where gladiators and predatory animals used to wait for the arena, today there is an interesting museum where you can learn a lot about the production of wine and olive oil in antiquity.
The amphitheater is located on Flavijevska street. Its opening hours depend on the season: during the peak holidays - July-August - from eight in the morning to twelve at night; from May to the end of September - from eight in the morning to nine in the evening; from October to April - from eight in the morning to seven in the evening. Ticket price: adult - fifty kunas or five hundred and twenty Russian rubles, children - twenty-five kunas or two hundred and sixty rubles.
(Katedrala Uznesenja Blažene Djevice Marije) is an old religious landmark of Pula in a simple Romanesque style with a separate bell tower. Today it is the main temple of the diocese of Porec-Pula, although looking at this modest building, without any hint of luxury and chic, you will not understand this. The building is very strict and ascetic, its bell tower is also made in the classical style. But in ancient times, the inside of the building was decorated with delightful mosaics, of which only fragments remain. The church was created by ancient masters in the fourth century, at the gathering place of Christians persecuted in those ancient times. When Emperor Constantine in 313 gave permission for any religion, including Christianity, a church arose in the city of Pula. Today, in addition to mosaics, you can see an ancient Roman sarcophagus dating back to the third century.
- Once, on a square that is popular among tourists today, cleared for the construction of houses, builders stumbled upon the ruins of ancient buildings. When the excavations were completed, people saw the ancient ruins of the ancient Forum of the first century - the heart of the local social life of the past, where all important events and events took place and weighty decisions were made. Of course, two centuries later, the area of the ancient Forum looks very different. Initially, the Forum was built to worship the gods of the Roman pantheon: Jupiter, Juno, Minerva - their temples adorned this sacred place of the city. But years passed and there was not even a hint of the majestic buildings at the Forum, but the ruins of another pair of sanctuaries were well preserved: the Temple of Diana and the Temple of Augustus and Roma. To date, these are the best preserved monuments of Roman history outside of Italy. Today, the Pula Forum is a rectangular square, previously there was a huge Temple of Jupiter, Juno, Minerva. Previously, on the right side of the main temple was the Temple of the goddess Diana, and on the left - the Temple of Augustus. If tourists can still see the Temple of Augustus today, then only the rear facade remains from the Temple of Diana, on top of which the masonry of the Town Hall rises, but the transition from one structure to another is clearly visible. The town hall in an elegant mixed Gothic-Romanesque and Renaissance styles, to this day, is a functioning administrative building, which is impossible for a simple tourist to get inside.
- an interesting antique building on Pula Square, which was built back in Roman times - from the fourth to the fourteenth century AD - as part of a triple architectural complex. If initially the temple was a place of pagan worship, then during the Middle Ages, by order of the rulers of Byzantium, it was transformed into a Christian church. In the nineteenth century, a granary was built here. The building stood with dignity until the last century, but received a lot of damage in 1944 during an air bombardment. In 1947, the restoration of this historical landmark of the city began, and it was collected bit by bit and fragments, and now it pleases local residents and tourists with its former majestic appearance. In the Temple of Augustus - lapidarium, you can see interesting elements of Roman architecture: surviving original architectural fragments - ancient epigraphs, antique statues, details of the building, columns, cornices. And inside there is an exhibition of a collection of sculptures made of stone and bronze. The building of the Temple of Augustus attracts with its classical forms: a high portico with a huge porch, six slender columns, and a triangular pediment. Previously, the facade of the building was decorated with the inscription: “Roma and Augustus Caesar, son of a deity, father of the fatherland”, now only holes for fastening remain from that plate.
Entrance ticket costs: adult - ten kunas or one hundred and five rubles; children - five kunas or fifty-two rubles. Opening hours: -from Monday to Friday - from half past ten in the morning to half past two in the afternoon; - on Saturday and Sunday - from half past ten in the morning to half past two in the afternoon and from five in the evening to eight in the evening.
This is a unique fragment of ancient mosaics, which is located in one of the courtyards of Pula. To get into it, you need to go through the territory of the summer cafe. These historical mosaics are perfectly preserved; they tell the story of the legendary tragic story of the second wife of the king of Thebes, Dirka. The mosaics were discovered by accident when construction workers were clearing away rubble near the Church of St. Mary of Formosa, which had been formed as a result of bombing during the war. The mosaic is located at a depth of two meters, it is there that the buildings of the Roman era are located. The mosaic plot "Dirka's Punishment" is recognized as the best preserved in Croatia. According to legend, Dirka was the wife of King Lycus, who ruled Thebes, he married her, leaving his first wife Antiope, whom the god Zeus himself fell in love with. From their connection, twin brothers were born - Zeta and Amphion, but the children were transferred to the upbringing of their stepmother Dirke, who turned out to be very hard-hearted and mocked Antiope, abandoned by the king. When the brothers grew up, they found out that Antiope was their mother by birth and took revenge on their stepmother Dirka for bullying. They tied Dirka to the horns of a bull, who tore the woman to pieces. The brothers threw the disfigured body of their stepmother into a stream that flowed in the vicinity of Thebes, then this water source was called Dirka. The story is rather tragic, but it is vividly and colorfully captured on ancient antique mosaics, their colors still amaze tourists with their freshness, and the work with the subtlety of execution.
- to get to the ancient Roman house, which is marked with a sign, you need to climb the stairs up the hill. Of course, this is not a house in the full sense of the word, but ruins in the form of an excavated foundation dating back to the first century BC. And the dwelling is named so, because of the portrait of Agrippina Minor found here during excavations, created from marble.
- Another ancient attraction of the Croatian city of Pula, which has a two-thousand-year history. The Arch of Sergius was built in the twenty-seventh year of our era by order of an influential Roman family living in Pula. The arch also has a second name - the "Golden Gate" due to the fact that initially part of it was covered with a layer of gold. The arch was modest in size - eight by four and a half meters, and was decorated in the Corinthian style with Greek motifs. One side of it was unfinished and undecorated, while the other had elaborate decorative elements painted with gold paint. Arch of Sergius - was the most beautiful of all ten gates of the city fortress wall, therefore it was considered the most suitable for solemn entrances to Pula. When in the nineteenth part almost the entire wall around the city was demolished, the arch was left, however, now it looks lonely and not as grand as in the centuries of antiquity and the Middle Ages. But even now, on this Arc de Triomphe, you can see skillfully carved images of Roman gods, heroes, cupids, created two millennia ago by ancient architects.
- this is another gate that was previously part of the city's defense system and strengthened the city fortress wall of Pula. An old Roman road led to the Hercules Gate. They got their name thanks to the image of the hero Hercules at the top of the arch, however, today it is hardly visible. Also barely noticeable is the inscription on this gate, which lists the Romans who were appointed to positions of power and sent to form the city of Pula, as a colony of the Roman Empire on the Adriatic in the first century BC. The third surviving pair of Pula gates is the Double Gates, they hide the entrance to the interesting Archaeological Museum of the city.
- This is a huge monastic complex of the Franciscan order, who settled in the city of Pula in the thirteenth century. When Francis of Assisi came to the city - a Catholic saint, canonized in the thirteenth century, he created a religious order, it was in 1210. The monastery was built on the site of another complex founded in honor of John the Baptist. In 1314, the church of the monastery was rebuilt again, decorated with beautiful elements in the Gothic style. And in the eighteenth century, the building of the monastery was also rebuilt, it was also decorated with a porch with openwork arcades. When the city was under the rule of the French, the monastery was closed, and under the Austrians, a food warehouse was placed in it. The monastery was returned to the monks only in 1992, they independently carried out restoration and repair work. Today, tourists can visit this monastery complex, walk around its small courtyard with palm trees, look at ancient artifacts that are literally under their feet - ancient tombstones. The inside of the church is quite ascetic, the only decoration of the interior is a luxurious golden iconostasis. Of the spiritual values of the Church of St. Francis, one can name the relics of Blessed Otto, who lived in Pula during the construction of the monastery, famous for miraculous healings and his virtues, these miracles can be read in the annals stored in the monastery. Saint Otto died in 1241, but is venerated to this day.
You can visit the church daily from 8 am to 11 pm. The price of the entrance ticket is ten kunas or one hundred and five rubles. In addition, visitors are presented with a colorful postcard.
- a very modest old building. This basilica dates back to the sixth century, although it was previously part of the complex of a large Benedictine abbey. The building measuring thirty-two by nineteen meters was erected on the site of another older temple. Masters from Byzantium worked on the creation of the basilica, it was decorated with marble, frescoes, and mosaics. In ancient times, a sarcophagus stood here, therefore, according to historical chronicles, the three-aisled basilica was also a mausoleum. Later, the Chapel of St. Mary of Formosa was built next to it, but in the thirteenth century it was abandoned, swamps formed around it, dampness destroyed the old building. But, fortunately, the chapel survived until our times, although its historical mosaics were dismantled from the floor and transferred to the local museum of archeology. The chapel is interesting for tourists because without any alterations it has retained its authenticity from past centuries, and, of course, the ruins of an ancient basilica are of interest.
- a powerful defensive fort appeared in Pula in the sixteenth century thanks to the Venetians, in order to protect the peace of the townspeople for three centuries and protect them from attacks by enemies from sea and land. This small star-shaped fortress, fortified with four bastions at the corners, was subjected to many attacks and strength tests. To date, only a small part of the structures remained from the citadel: walls and defensive towers. Today, inside the fortress there is the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria, and performances and concerts are regularly held in its courtyard, rows of seats are installed in front of the stage for the convenience of the audience. The museum at the fortress presents interesting exhibits: weapons, shipwrecks, military trophies and awards, and more. Climbing the fortress towers, you can take beautiful photos of the city and the bay.
The Kastela Museum is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm. Ticket price: adult - twenty kunas or two hundred and ten rubles, children - five kunas or fifty rubles.
What to do in Pula
- Take a wine tour to Istrian wineries
Resting in the resort of Pula in Croatia, you should definitely visit one of the local wineries. Of course, Croatia will not be able to compete in terms of wine production with Italy, France and Spain, however, the quality of local products is no worse than the advertised wines of the above countries. Istria has a long wine-making tradition; white and red wines have long been produced here: Malvasia - from white grape varieties and Teran - red varieties. In any tour agency in Pula, you can buy a wine tour, or you can independently go to the winery you like, where you will be told and shown everything about the production of this product, offered to conduct a tasting and buy your favorite wines.
- Go on a gastronomic tour
The resort of Pula is famous not only for its excellent wines, but also for its amazing cuisine, which combines the “taste” features of neighboring countries: Italy, France, Greece. In Croatia, gastronomic and culinary tours are extremely popular among tourists. In Pula, fish dishes are excellent, as well as seafood treats, in addition, Croatian cuisine is famous for using olive oil and local white truffles. The culinary tour will take a couple of hours, during which the guide will take you to the markets of Pula, where he will teach you how to purchase important foods, drinks, and give you recipes for cooking crown Croatian dishes. The gastronomic tour includes an introduction to the best dishes of the region and their tasting.
- Attend a crane show
This original show is visited by all tourists vacationing in the Pula resort. During the light and music performance, real construction cranes, entwined with multi-colored illumination, take part. These giants move to the music, the show can be watched both from the waterfront and at the port of Pula. The show starts at nine o'clock in the evening and goes up to twelve at night, every quarter of an hour.
How to get to the city of Pula?
Although the Croatian city of Pula has its own airport, it is open only to domestic and European airlines, it has no air connection with Russia, so Russian tourists have to fly to the nearest Zagreb International Airport. In time, the flight from Russia will take three and a half hours. Then you need to go to Pula by bus, the ticket will cost from twenty to thirty euros per person.
Buses run to Pula from the cities of Italy and Slovenia. In addition, ferries passing through Venice come here from Italy. There are also direct summer ferries from Venice "Venezia Lines", the journey takes three hours, so tourists will have a great opportunity to visit Italian Venice on vacation in Croatian Pula.
Pula (Croatia) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Pula with descriptions, guides and maps.
City of Pula (Croatia)
Pula is a city in Croatia, the largest city in Istria. The unspoken capital of this tourist region, located on the western tip of the peninsula on the Adriatic coast. Pula is the largest tourist, industrial and transport center of the Istrian coast, attracting many tourists with its clear sea and beaches, wonderful sights and history, gastronomic delicacies and other excellent recreation and tourism opportunities.
Pula is a city that represents a unique combination of history and modernity, picturesque nature and developed infrastructure. These are stripes of beaches, ancient streets and historical monuments, this is the smell of the sea and bays full of yachts and fishing boats, these are cozy restaurants with delicious food. Despite its tourist popularity, Pula has retained the charm of a small provincial town, and historical monuments that were built in Roman times allow you to touch the rich historical and cultural heritage of this ancient city.
Story
It is believed that Pula was founded by the ancient Greeks and was one of the first colonies of Hellas in the Northern Adriatic. Some find references to the city in the famous legend of the Golden Fleece and the Argonauts. From this it turns out that the history of Pula is 3000 years old.
The heyday of the city was associated with the reign of the Roman Empire in the 1st-3rd century AD. It was under the Romans that Pula became the largest and most important center of Istria. At that time, the most important monuments of Antiquity, located on the territory of Croatia, were built here. Roman Pula had all the most important achievements of Antiquity. A water supply system, a forum functioned here, theaters and temples were built. Many houses were decorated with marble and beautiful mosaics. The city was surrounded by a wall, destroyed in the 19th century. There were 10 gates leading to the city. Until now, some of them have been preserved.
After the fall of the Roman Empire from the 5th century to the middle of the 12th century, Pula, like the entire peninsula, was ruled by the Ostrogoths, Franks, Byzantines and Slavs, Lombards.
From 1150 until the end of the 18th century, Pula belonged to Venice. The Venetian Republic owned the city until its fall. During the Venetian rule, the city was occupied several times by enemy troops, because. the city was on the front line during the conflicts for power over the Adriatic.
After the Napoleonic Wars, Pula becomes part of Austria-Hungary. After the First World War, the city became part of Italy, and after the Second World War - Yugoslavia. With the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991, Pula became part of Croatia.
How to get there
The city of Pula has an international airport located just 5 kilometers from the city. Another nearest international airport is located in the capital of Croatia - Zagreb. Pula is connected by bus to neighboring cities in Italy and Slovenia. You can also get here by sea, for example, from Venice.
Shopping and shopping
One of the important tourist activities is shopping. That's all right in Poole. You can shop at Portarata Square, Forum and Sergijevaca Street. There are many shops from clothes and shoes to jewelry and food. Interesting souvenirs can be found on Kandlerova Street. Also, shops can be found on the following streets: Giardinima, Laginjinoj, Cisccutijevoj, Flanatičkoj, Istarskoj.
If you want to buy traditional Istrian products, then you have a direct route to the local market. There are meat and fish shops, restaurants and bakeries.
There are also several supermarkets and shopping centers in Pula:
- Pula City Mall on Ul. Rimske
- Lidl on st. Labinskoj
- Kaufland Jurja Žakna 3
- Large supermarket on the street. Santorijeva
Souvenirs
Of the souvenirs, magnets, bags and cups, Pula sights in miniature, olive oil and Istrian lavender, local wine and truffles, souvenir jugs are in demand.
Gastronomy
Restaurants in Pula offer a variety of delicious dishes. The rich history and multiculturalism of the region has created a unique cuisine with influences from Italian, Mediterranean, Austrian and Slavic cuisines.
First of all, you need to try fish dishes and seafood here - oysters, scallops, grilled fish, sardines, cuttlefish risotto, etc. Local pasta and potato dishes are very tasty here - fug, dumplings, ravioli, etc. Of the delicacies, you should try dishes with truffles, prosciutto. From traditional dishes, thick soup with beans is also popular. From alcoholic drinks, you should pay attention to Istrian wines.
There are no beaches in Pula Bay. Most of the equipped beaches are located in the southern part of the city. To the north of Cape Proštine you can find several wild beaches. The largest beaches of Pyla are marked on the maps below.
Sights in Pula
Pula has preserved many interesting sights, some of which date back to Antiquity.
The arena is the main attraction of Pula and the symbol of the city. This is a large amphitheater built in the 1st century during the time of Vespasian for gladiator fights at the same time as the Colosseum. It is considered one of the 6 largest amphitheatres of Roman times. The Pula Arena accommodated more than 20 thousand spectators. It is a large oval structure, 130 meters long and 100 meters wide, built of limestone. The arena is currently used for summer events.
The Temple of Augustus is another attraction of Antiquity. An ancient temple with two thousand years of history, built in honor of Emperor Augustus and the goddess Roma. After the collapse of the empire, the temple was turned into a church, then it was a warehouse of wheat. It was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in 1947. Now there is a small museum here.
The triumphal arch of the Sergievites is an antique Corinthian-style arch erected in the 30s BC in honor of the influential Pula family. Adjacent to the city gates.
Double gates - ancient gates with a section of the fortress wall, built in the 2nd-3rd century AD. The gates are two arched entrances through which one could enter the city.
The Hercules Gate is another ancient gate located between two medieval towers. Built from hewn stone. The head of Hercules is carved on the top, which can hardly be seen.
In the western part of the city is the central square of ancient and medieval Pula - the Forum. The history of the square dates back to our era. The most important buildings of the ancient city were located here - temples, administrative and economic buildings. Of the temples, only the temple of Augustus survived.
The Franciscan monastery is located near the Forum. Founded in the 14th century. The early 14th century monastery church contains late Romanesque and Gothic elements.
The Cathedral is the main temple of Pula, located next to the main pedestrian street of the city leading to the Forum. The temple was erected in the place where the first Christians gathered. The church was built in the 5th century. Despite damage from fires and rebuilding, it has retained its structure and some ancient elements.
Chapel of St. Mary of Formosa is a small 6th century chapel that was once part of a Benedictine abbey. Built in the Byzantine style.
Church of St. Nicholas - Serbian Orthodox Church. The building was built in the second half of the 6th century in the Byzantine style.
On a high hill is the Venetian fortress. The fortress was restored in the 60s of the 20th century. Now it houses the Historical Museum of Istria.
The Roman theater is the ruins of an ancient theater located near the Kastel hill.
The main attractions of Pula on the map
Video - city of Pula
Pula is the oldest Croatian city on the Adriatic coast, where artifacts created even before our era have been preserved. It is defined not only by picturesque beaches and a well-equipped resort area, but also by historical monuments and cultural centers that host exhibitions and concerts. Pula is also a major port on the Istrian peninsula. Founded by the ancient Greeks, it flourished during the Roman Empire, and this historical fact still attracts fans of ancient monuments to the city. It is interesting to relax here for those who love active entertainment, and fans of beach holidays and nightlife. Diving centers and sports grounds coexist here with noisy discos, clubs and casinos. But this does not interfere with the contemplative pastime among the ancient ruins.
A bit of history
The first traces of human life were discovered near Pula, and the first mention of this city is found in the legend of the Argonauts. According to her, it was the Argonauts who founded Pula when they went on a journey for the Golden Fleece. This is confirmed by numerous items found during archaeological excavations. The connection of this city with ancient Greek culture is obvious. A few years before the beginning of our era, Pula received the status of a Roman colony, thanks to which its rapid development began, and the buildings built at that time still help us make a mental journey into the depths of centuries. One of the most interesting is the Arena - a huge amphitheater, perfectly preserved to this day, arousing the interest of both historians and tourists from all over the world.
The triumphal arch of Sergius and the Temple of Augustus were also donated to the city by the Roman era. After the fall of the Roman Empire, power over the city belonged successively to the Venetians, Austrians, and Italians. And only in 1947 Pula returned to Croatia. During a long difficult period in the life of the city, buildings were built here, mostly typical of medieval Roman-Gothic architecture. Many of them have survived to this day.
How to get to Pula
There are no direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Pula. Most often, tourists fly in transit through Zagreb or Frankfurt am Main. Flights are organized by Lufthansa and Croatia Airlines, two a day from St. Petersburg and 3-4 from Moscow.
For those who are afraid to fly, there is bad news: the train that went to the capital of Croatia from the Kievsky railway station in Moscow has been cancelled. Therefore, if you travel to Pula by rail, you will have to make several transfers - in Vienna or Prague, and then in Zagreb. A train ticket Moscow - Vienna or Moscow - Prague will cost about 80 EUR. From there you can get to Zagreb by bus or train for 140 EUR. There are many bus routes to Pula from the Croatian capital starting at 150 HRK. At the office On the website (in English) of the Bus Croatia carrier, you can find a detailed schedule with prices. Prices on the page are for October 2018.
From airport to city
Pula Airport is not very big and is located only 8 km from the city center. Special shuttles run three days a week - Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday (2 flights - in the morning and in the evening), but they allow you to get there relatively quickly - in just 20 minutes; ticket price - 23 HRK. If you take a taxi, then you should negotiate with the driver immediately at the airport. The price may be lower than when ordering by phone, and will be about 180-120 HRK depending on the amount of luggage and the type of car.
Search for flights to Pula
Transport
Pula is a small town with compactly located sights. You can easily walk from one to the other, in most cases there is no need to use transport. However, in order to feel the flavor of city life, it is worth taking a bus or taxi once or twice. They ply the city in abundance, but this is not a cheap pleasure. If you travel a short distance within Pula and buy a ticket from the minibus driver, it will cost 8-10 HRK. A comfortable bus and a trip out of town, for example, to Vinkuran or Radeki Polje, will cost 25 HRK and more.
Pula is also easy to get around by bike. It can be rented at specialized rental centers or via the Internet (off site (in English)). Depending on the type of bike, rent will cost 60-120 HRK per day for a basic city or touring bike. A weekly rental costs 320-720 HRK, respectively.
Maps of Pula
Rent a Car
Renting a car will become an overhead for several reasons. Firstly, almost all parking lots in the city are paid - 22-30 HRK per hour. Secondly, rental is not cheap - the simplest car will cost 150 HRK per day. And thirdly, if you drive a car outside the city, there will be several paid autobahns on the way. However, renting a car will allow you to get from the airport to the city without any problems, since there are few alternatives to this method. Several international car rental companies are represented right in the arrivals area. It should be borne in mind that there are traffic jams in the central part of Pula, since the streets in the old town are narrow, and the number of tourists grows from May to September. It is easier to get around the center on foot than trying to go around by car.
Communication and Wi-Fi
There are no particular problems with communication in Pula, since in Croatia almost the entire territory is covered by three main operators. These are T-mobile, VIPnet and Tele2. SIM cards can be purchased at operators' offices, newspaper or tobacco kiosks, as well as at the post office. Using a local SIM card is much cheaper than connecting foreign roaming to your Russian number. Thus, a call to Russia via a local cellular connection will cost 5 HRK, roaming - 7-8 HRK per minute. You can replenish your account with the help of cards, which are called “bons” here (sold there). They come in different denominations and are valid for 90 days from the date of purchase. To use coupons, you need to enter the code indicated on them in your phone. Tariff packages assume the amount of free 4G Internet, which eliminates the need to be tied to Wi-Fi. There are enough access points to free internet in Pula. Wi-Fi is distributed in the city center near the main attractions and in most cafes and hotels.
The beaches of Pula
Going to Pula, you should know that the beaches there are exclusively rocky or large-pebble. Therefore, vacationers stock up on special shoes - often, in order to get to the equipped beach, they have to overcome rocky areas. Sea entries, if they are not gentle enough, are equipped with concrete steps and handrails. All beaches are free, rent of sunbeds and umbrellas - about 15 HRK. There are more than 40 beaches in the resort area, each of which is impeccably clean and picturesque.
All beaches, without exception, are equipped to the highest standards and are marked with Blue Flags.
One of the most popular and picturesque places surrounded by greenery is Stinjan Beach, where there are many rental shops, sports grounds and a diving center. Closest to the center of Pula is the beach of the Stoja area in Valkane Bay. Fans of sailing and connoisseurs of peace and tranquility love to relax here. There are not as many people on this beach as on most others. Vacationers with children prefer the Brioni beach because of the many entertainment programs and attractions. Medulin, the area with the most hotels, has several nudist beaches nestled in beautiful little bays under cover of lush greenery.
Diving
The Adriatic Sea is considered one of the best dive sites for both professionals and beginners. Unusual and diverse flora and fauna, combined with clear blue waters, make the sessions unforgettable. The diving season in Pula is long - from May to October - practically all this time the visibility under water is from 20 to 30 m. The abundance of caves, picturesque reefs and shipwrecks near the coast make diving very popular in this area of Istria.
The cost of one scuba dive depends on how long the boat will be involved, and whether the wrecks are planned to be visited. Diving from the boat will cost 180 HRK, going down to the ship will cost about 280 HRK.
On the outskirts of Pula in Verudela, there are dives on the House Reef, where you can sign up for training courses for beginners. The diving depth here does not exceed 18 m, but you can see electric stingrays and sea spiders live. A place called Canyon will interest experienced divers. It is also located on Cape Verudela, allowing you to dive to 30 m and see several tunnels and caves.
Pula Hotels
In Pula, not only traditional hotels and apartments are common, which are in great abundance in the resort town, but also campsites. Equipped campsites for motorhomes and tents offer all the necessary amenities for those who love an inexpensive vacation close to nature. You can also rent a small 4- or 5-person cabin at campsites for only HRK 900 per day.
For those who want to save money, hostels are suitable for 145 HRK per day per person. Double rooms in mid-range hotels will cost 400 HRK. For this price you can get 3* service, free breakfasts and Wi-Fi. Sea view apartments will cost approximately HRK 620 in high season. This accommodation is located near the beaches and close to the main attractions. You can also rent an apartment or a room in the private sector by the day. However, it is better to plan this option in advance, since there are practically no free reservations during the summer season.
What to bring
For souvenirs, you should go to the shopping street, which starts from the Golden Gate in the center of Pula. There are many small shops with textiles, ceramics, traditional food and drinks. Local handmade tapestries are the most popular souvenir from this city. They can be bought from the masters themselves for 200-250 HRK.
During the summer, most shops close for a siesta at lunchtime until 17:00. On weekends, all establishments are open only until the middle of the day.
Pula is also famous for its lace and embroidered tablecloths, wood carvings and coral decorations. Jewelry is bought here not only as a commemorative trinket, but also simply because of the relatively low price. Local alcoholic drinks are also in demand. Slivovitz and Travaritsa, Maraschino liqueurs and wines will be a good gift from the trip.
Cuisine and restaurants in Pula
Pula is dominated by Italian and Istrian cuisines, with a special emphasis on seafood. Oysters and lobsters of the first freshness can be tasted in restaurants on the shore, such a lunch will cost about 300 HRK per person. Such establishments are also famous for their truffle dishes. Local cuisine will appeal to meat lovers, as in Pula it is perfectly cured and smoked. "Pršut", "chobanac" and "police" are variations of meat dishes that most accurately reveal the peculiarities of Istrian cuisine. Fast food at the resort - with an Italian "bias". There are many pizzerias and bistros that serve pasta, pizza and desserts of excellent quality. You can dine together in them for 150 HRK - including Croatian beer or tinctures.
Not only food and alcohol attracts gourmets to Pula. The city is famous for its great variety of quality coffee, which is appreciated by connoisseurs from all over the world. It is worth trying white coffee, the beans of which are baked in a special way until they get a white hue. They are usually brewed in milk.
Portions in restaurants are very large, so you should order them one by one. You can have a bite to eat on the go, kiosks with Italian ice cream and donuts are found everywhere.
Guides in Pula
Entertainment and attractions
All the historical sights of Pula are concentrated in a small space in the city center, so you can explore them in detail in a day, walking around. It’s worth starting with the amphitheater, built by the Romans in the 1st century BC. e. It deservedly received the title of the Croatian Colosseum, as it occupies the 6th place in terms of size among the surviving amphitheaters in the world. You will be able to see the city from a height if you climb the tower in the Kastel fortress. It was founded in the 14th century, and now the Historical Maritime Museum is located here. Under the fortress there is a cave, about the mystical inhabitants of which there are many interesting legends among the locals. The Hercules Gate and the Arch of Sergius will help to get an idea of Roman architecture. These are the oldest buildings in the city, built in the 3rd-1st centuries BC. e.
If you want to escape from antiquity, you should go to the Marine Park. It was founded in the 19th century and to this day has retained almost all the features of the park architecture of that time. Many exotic flowers and trees grow here, in the shade of which you can take a break from the beach heat. Man-made masterpieces of recognized masters of painting are kept in the collection of the Franciscan monastery of the 13th century, which in itself is a landmark.
3 things to do in Poole
- Sit on the steps of the Temple of Augustus, which was built during the life of Christ.
- Visit the places where the author of the famous "Ulysses" Irish writer James Joyce lived and worked.
- See near the electric ramp and scuba dive to the sunken passenger ship "Baron Gosh".
Pool for children
Children of primary and school age will be able to have fun in various centers and parks, which in Pula are enough to keep them busy for weeks. Lovers of active age will like the Green Garden Pula park (off site in English), where you can go kart and compete in speed, even if vacationers come with very young children. Instructors will tell you in detail about how to control the equipment and take care of safety. Those who are more fond of contemplative relaxation can go with the children to the local aquarium located in Fort Verudella (off. site in English). Not only representatives of the local fauna live here, but also a variety of living creatures from other parts of the world. Children will observe fish, lizards, turtles and even the smallest organisms with the help of a microscope.
Pula is a mysterious city in Croatia, located on the western coast of Istria in the Adriatic Sea. This ancient port city is the largest on the peninsula. Pula combines unique monuments of the ancient Roman era and excellent opportunities for a beach holiday. Beautiful nature, clean beaches, picturesque countryside are preserved in this wonderful seaport. Many tourists come here to walk along the ancient streets, look at the majestic architectural sights, and also combine these walks with a holiday on the coast of the purest Adriatic Sea. However, it is difficult to call Pula a pretty resort town, because despite some cozy corners, it is a big and cold city. Everybody knows ?
How to get there
Pula is the so-called crossroads of transport routes, because it can be reached by almost any type of transport.
The seaport and bus station provide regular connections with all Istrian settlements, major cities in other parts of Croatia, as well as some cities in Italy and Slovenia.
Along the coast there is a highway, which from Pula by car can be reached by car to many cities in Istria and through Rijeka to the rest of the cities of Croatia and nearby European cities.
Short story
It is believed that the ancient Greeks founded Pula, making it one of their first colonies in the north of the Adriatic. A few decades before the new era, the city came under the rule of the Romans, who appreciated its important strategic position. During the Roman era, Pula became a flourishing imperial city.
At different times the city belonged to the Venetian Republic, Austria, Italy. In 1943 it was occupied by the German invaders. In 1947, Pula became part of Yugoslavia, after the collapse of which in 1991 and to the present day it is a city in independent Croatia.
A rich and long history, belonging to one country or another, significantly influenced the traditions and appearance of the city, its culture and architecture.
Where to go and what to see in Pula
Walking through the old town and sightseeing is one of the favorite activities of tourists in Pula. You can start your trip from the Arc de Triomphe of Sergius, which is installed at the beginning of the street that goes around the center of the old city. This street is lined with numerous boutiques, tourist shops, cafes, pizzerias and all the most important sights. After the Arc de Triomphe, right along the way is the central Forum Square with a beautiful medieval Town Hall building and a unique ancient Roman temple of Roma and Augustus. After 100 meters there is the Cathedral - a well-preserved monument of early Christian architecture.
Next is the most famous monument of the city, its calling card is the Arena amphitheater. This giant ancient Roman amphitheater was built in the 1st century BC and could accommodate up to 23,000 people. Now the amphitheater is a museum, and is also a place where various open-air performances are held.
In the geographical center of the city there is a hill on which stands the Venetian fortress, built in the 17th century on the ruins of the Roman Capitol. Here you can visit the Historical Museum of Istria with unique exhibits. In addition, the fortress offers a beautiful view of the entire city and the sea.
The beaches of Pula
The second tourist component of Pula is a beach holiday. The beaches in the city and its environs are different, mostly rocky or concrete beaches equipped with entry into the sea. But there are also small-pebble ones in a few cozy coves.
The main resort area in the city is Punta Verudela. This complex has several beautiful beaches, for example, Ambrela beach next to the Brioni hotel is famous for the cleanliness of the ecological cleanliness of the coast and water. Not far from it is the beach of the Histria Hotel - a rocky beach with pebble areas. Another popular beach is Khavaika, located behind the Park Hotel.
Most of the beaches in Pula are well equipped and have their own sports centers, diving clubs and entertainment for children. It should be added that sometimes sea urchins are found in local waters, so you should wear protective slippers when swimming.
In addition to seeing beautiful sights and relaxing on the beach, guests of Pula will have an interesting cultural program, because many holidays and festivals are held here. The main place where you can see various musical performances, concerts and other similar events is the Arena amphitheater. For example, in March there is a wonderful "Art & Music Festival", which is a mixture of rock, theater and comics. Every year in August, since 1953, the same amphitheater hosts a film festival, in which films shot in Croatia during the year take part. Also for movie lovers there is the main cinema of Pula - "Zagreb", located right in the center of the city.
Other significant annual events include the Istrian ethnic jazz concerts held in July, the Opera Music Festival and the Book Market, organized in November, the second largest in Croatia.
Prices in hotels and shops
Going on vacation in Pula, based on finances, you should choose an accommodation option in advance: a luxurious villa, a comfortable or ordinary hotel, apartments, a sanatorium, a hostel, or maybe a campsite.
One inexpensive option is to rent a room or an entire apartment from local realtors. Depending on the number of rooms and beds, the daily cost of such housing will be from 40 to 100 euros.
Lovers of comfort and European service will most likely choose 4 and 5 star hotels with their own restaurants, swimming pools, tennis courts and other amenities. Accommodation in top-class hotels will cost from 250 euros per day. In cheaper hotels, the cost of a room per night is between 50-70 euros.
Well, the most budget option is staying in a hostel, where a bed in a triple room will cost from 9.5 euros, and a single room - about 30 euros per night.
Croatia does not have an all-inclusive system, so food should also be taken care of in advance. The largest selection of goods is presented in the Mercator Centar Pula shopping center, which sells fresh vegetables and fruits, wines, sweets, bathing accessories, goods for children at average prices. Pula has a rich selection of souvenirs for every taste and budget, the most popular of which are various types of needlework, leather goods, ceramics, Croatian wines, jewelry, lace, artistic carpets, etc. In addition to traditional Croatian goods, Pula also has European clothes, such as Diesel, Terranova, Levi's, where prices differ little from Russian ones.
