Pula, a city of three millennia old, is a city full of historical sites and a real treat for all those who enjoy history, but also the extremely clean sea and beautiful beaches spread over almost a hundred kilometers of beautiful and indented coast. The eminent National Geographic Traveler ranked Pula among the top 10 tourist destinations in the world for 2017. .
In Roman times Pietas Iulia, later Colonia Pola Pollentia Herculanea, under the protection of the mythical Heracles. The city developed from the old settlement on the central city hill, spread along the Bay of Pula and was the center of life and entertainment of Roman emperors and emperors, Renaissance poets and painters, Venetian senators, French generals. The history of Pula is influenced by the Roman Empire, the East Gothic and later Byzantine states. It is written by Franks, Venetians, Austrians, Hungarians, Italians, Slavs.
The most important cultural monument is the Roman amphitheater – Arena, which was intended for the fight of gladiators, and was built in the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. The largest Arena in Pula is the sixth amphitheater in the world. It is said to be one of the most beautiful outdoor stages on which the world’s most important musical names have performed, and since 1954 it has hosted the Pula Film Festival every July. During the summer, gladiatorial fights take place in the Arena every week as part of the ancient Spectacvla Antiqva historical and entertainment spectacle.
The most preserved Roman monuments are in Pula: the Temple of Augustus, dedicated to the Goddess Roma and Emperor Augustus, was built between 2 BC and 14 AD. It was located at the Roman Forum, as it is today called, and houses a smaller exhibition of Roman antique sculpture made of stone and bronze. The so-called walls of the city of Pula were incorporated into the so-called walls. The gate of Hercules, probably the first that was built by the Romans when they came to Pula, then the Double Gate, which is so called because it has two arched openings, and was built at the turn of the 2nd to the 3rd century.
The arch of the Sergius, whose drawing was left by Michelangelo when he visited Pula in the 16th century, was erected about 30 BC in Corinthian style.
A particularly interesting monument is the Small Roman Theater, which was located inside the city, unlike the large one that no longer exists today, and was located outside the city walls.
The great natural harbor of Pula has been used since early antiquity and also served as the main war port of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
In the largest Istrian city, along with a number of historical attractions, there is also one new one recently – these are the glowing giants. Large cranes in the city center, near the Arena of Pula and at the end of the waterfront, shine a thousand colors every night when it gets dark. The “glowing giants” located on the island of Uljanik in the Bay of Pula are a real attraction and a new recognizable view of Pula created by world-renowned lighting designer Dean Skira. Cranes change colors in the evenings, and thanks to a sophisticated system, they can change as many as sixteen thousand different combinations. In this unique light spectacle in the world, it is possible to enjoy every day in the evening when it is dark.
The game of light in Pula can also be enjoyed in September during the Visualia Festival, whose participants, during the three days of the Festival, paint the city center with various light installations and give visitors an unforgettable experience.
Eleven zero cultural monuments of Pula’s:
1. Amphitheater, I Century n.e.
2. Cathedral, IV-XV sec.
3. Temple of Augustus, 2 years p.n.e. to the age of 14 n.e.
4. City Palace, 1296
5. Chapel of Mary Formosa, 6th century
6. Arch of the Sergi Family, 29-27. godine p.n.e
7. The Gate of Hercules, mid-I century
8. Double Door, 2nd Century n.e.
9. Navy Cemetery
10. House of Croatian Veterans
11. Roman Mosaic “Punishing the Race”
