Pula in Croatia

The amphitheater of Pula

Pula amphitheater

Pula in Croatia is one of the wonders of the Adriatic. With about sixty thousand inhabitants, it is the most important city of Istria and, in addition to tourism, it lives off shipbuilding, fishing and winemaking.

It was already important as an administrative center in the Ancient Rome. But its origins are lost in the legend. It says that the Colchids, tired of chasing Jason and his Argonauts to retrieve the Golden Fleece, did not dare to return to their land unsuccessful. So they settled in this area, founding Pula. In any case, this city has wonderful coastlines and numerous monuments. If you want to know her, we invite you to follow us.

Visiting Pula in Croatia

Much of the monumental heritage of Pula belongs to its Roman age. The rest was built almost in its entirety during the subsequent domination that the republic of Venice exercised over the city. We are going to see some of these buildings.

Roman antitheater

It is the best known monument in Pula in Croatia. It was built in the XNUMXst century AD following the canons of the Rome Coliseum, of which he is contemporary. It has an elliptical plan with a major axis of almost one hundred and thirty meters in length. Externally, it is made up of seventy-two arches and had a capacity for twenty thousand people.

The temple of Augustus and the Communal palace

Temple of Augustus and communal palace

Forum

It was the center of life in Pula during Roman times and is still the core of the city today. There is in it a temple dedicated to AugustusAlthough it is not the original, it was destroyed by the bombings of the Second World War. But in the reconstruction mosaics and pieces of that one were included. There were also other temples dedicated to Juno, Jupiter, and Minerva. Already in the Middle Ages the imposing forum was built communal palace, which summarizes styles such as Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance. Today it houses the City Hall.

Golden Gate

Also know as Arch of Triumph of the SergiosIt was built around the year XNUMX BC in a Corinthian style strongly influenced by the Hellenistic. On the other hand, in one of its adjacent streets you will find numerous shops and bars.

Hercules Gate

This other arch is between two medieval turrets. But the most interesting thing about this construction is the inscription that is nearby. In it it is said that Lucio Calpurnio Floor y Gayo Cassius were commissioned by Rome to found Pula. Thus, it has been known that this circumstance took place in the year forty-seven BC.

Walls and other gates of the city of Pula in Croatia

Until the XNUMXth century, Pula was surrounded by a wall with different gates. But at that time it collapsed to facilitate the expansion of the city. However, a section of it is still preserved, the one that went from the calls Twin doors to Giardini square.

The Twin Doors

Twin doors

These gates receive this name because they are two identical arches that gave access to the old city. And one of the most unique itineraries in Pula starts from them. It's about the underground galleries that travel several hundred meters under the ground of the town. They were excavated during the Austro-Hungarian domination and converge in a central hall that is under the Kastel fortress.

Fort Kastel

Built by the Venetians to protect the coastline, this fort stands on the highest hill in Pula. It has a starry plan and four bastions. It is very well preserved and is currently the headquarters of the Historical Museum of Istria, an exhibition that traces the evolution of the region from Roman times to the present through all kinds of objects.

On the same hill where the castle is, you can see the remains of a Roman Theatre and under this you will find the other great museum of Pula: the Archaeological of Istria.

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

You will find it in the old via Flavia, which went from the forum to the amphitheater and which today is one of the main streets of Pula. It is an early Christian church whose construction dates from the XNUMXth century. However, the façade is from the XNUMXth century and responds to the Renaissance style, while its bell tower is Baroque.

It is not the only temple you can see in the city. The orthodox church of St. Nicholas It was built in the XNUMXth century, although it was rebuilt in the XNUMXth. To the same time belongs the Chapel of Santa María Formosa. Finally, the church and monastery of San Francisco They date from the XIV and respond to the late Romanesque style.

Fort Kastel

Fort Kastel

The beaches of Pula in Croatia

But, if the Adriatic coast stands out for something, it is for its beautiful beaches. Just ten kilometers from Pula you have the Kamenjak Nature Park, on the Premantura peninsula. In it you will find beaches as beautiful as those of Polyje, Pinizule, Fields o gate, all of them with crystalline waters and located in a wonderful environment.

Gastronomy of Pula in Croatia

Pula's cuisine is, logically, of the type Mediterranean type, but it has a strong Austrian influence because of the years in which the city belonged to this empire. In the area there is a real delicacy: the white truffle. Next to it, the Sausages, seafood, and the good wine.

Among the former, the Cool, which is made with the best parts of pork, salt, garlic and paprika. They are also traditional dishes cevapi, which is made up of sausages with rice and onion; the pasticized, a stew of beef and vegetables in wine, or the burek, a kind of empanadas usually stuffed with cheese.

Regarding desserts, the macarana cake, which is made with eggs, almonds and cherry liqueur. And also the atrukli, some pasta rolls that are filled with egg, cheese and cream; the orehnjaca, a walnut puff pastry and the Apple strudel. Finally, you can finish your meal with a glass of the typical liquor of the area: the biska.

What is the best time to visit Pula

The best time to visit the Croatian city is summer by the weather. However, it is also the time when it receives the most number of tourists and perhaps this overwhelms you a bit. Therefore, we recommend that you go in spring. The weather is almost as good as in summer and there is less crowding of visitors.

Hercules gate

Hercules Gate

How to get to Pula in Croatia

To get to Pula, you have several options. You can do it by road, but it is a tiring journey. If you make your trip in high season, there are flights from Madrid and Barcelona but also Split, destination y Dubrovnik. Then you can go by road to the city.

However, in low season there are usually no direct flights to that area of ​​Croatia. Therefore, if you go at this time, it is best to fly to Venice and there you take a ferry to Pula itself.

In conclusion, Pula in Croatia is a wonderful tourist destination. It offers you magnificent beaches, an impressive monumental heritage and a delicious Mediterranean-style cuisine. Don't you want to meet her?


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