Pula Things to Do

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This temple is from around 2nd century BC to before the death of Augustus in 14AD, for which the temple is dedicated. Besides that dedication, it also is a commemoration for Goddess Roma, a deity from the Greek era. The structure was converted into a church during Byzantine times, so it was preserved for centuries. The building was built on a pedestal porch and the columns are 57 feet high and the building 27 feet wide. Today it is a lapidarium and has some/not many stone archaeological pieces. WWII severely damaged the building, and some how they rebuilt it, and it looks just like it would have back 2,000 years ago. HOw is that?
Entry fee is $2 and takes about 2 minutes to see the small inside. Open 9-6 daily

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The monastery and complex dates back to the 1314 when it was built and reflects the architectural style of the time of Romanesque and some Gothic. The complex is dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. There was a previous church on this site that was encompassed by the new. It can be seen for some long ways with the steeple standing out in the skyline. There are pilgrimages annually to the church for salvation prayers. The doors are closed and only used for services, but some tour guides to get inside for viewing on special circumstances. There is a little courtyard in front of the main entry

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The walk to the top to get to this fortress is interesting as it continues to circle round and round. The castle was built in 1630, and is star shaped with four bastions' typical for defense in those days. The fort was constructed under the direction of the Venetians in those times and they did not have to use the defenses, but later it was used by Austrians and in WWII by the Italians. The fort inside is now barren of any structures except for the rooms under the wall perimeter. This is where the city museum is housed. It covers about three primary rooms and has an "eclectic" mix of artifacts that could be found to display. There is nothing special about the museum; a few maps,some glasswear, and a small ship replicated, s well as pictures of locals and the city. The fort views are what is the attraction. The turret section is not open due to the fragile look of the steps. Entry fee is $3 per person, and open 9-7 daily.

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The original structure was built on a previous site of a Roman temple, and was constructed in 5th-6th centuries as it gradually expanded. A major expansion took place in the 10th century when this was the major focus for residents. Most of the current structure that is seen today is from the 1712 and of Renaissance style. The bell tower and some of the church used stones from the arena. It was closed when we were there, and I suspect it is not open except for services. The bell tower also was closed.

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This theatre is much smaller than the arena and was probably used more for cultural activities and stage plays. It is dated back to around 2AD and was build into the hill on the backside. There is a cavern network under some of the theater that can be seen looking through the grates in the front area.

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This is located in a building close to the arena and by the twin gates, and Roman theater. It was a very nice museum that held a great deal of stone artifacts dating back to the 3 century BC. It features many Illyrian and Liberun cultures of those times. They also have a large coin collection, antique glass artworks, metal and stone worked displays used in daily life, to name a few. The museum began in 1902 and expanded as more archaeological digs in Istria were made.
The entry is $4, or 20 kuna, and you would spend maybe 2-3 hours for slow viewing. It is located on Carrarina Ulica

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The arena is on the edge of the old town sites, and a nice place to start your walking tour. Price to enter the arena is $8, which seems awful expensive for what you see inside; nothing special you cannot see outside. The irony is some people go inside and stand there, kind of wondering why they did that to take a picture from there. WE did just fine in picture taking outside.
The arena was first under construction in 27BC, and it did not get its final completion until 60AD. Then shortly after, Claudius expanded the arena to have gladiator fights. The basic gladiator shows of fighting stopped around 400's, and no fighting took place after 681. In the 5th century, people began dismantling the arena and used stones for other sites to build in town. What remains are the outside walls since the inside stones were utilized elsewhere. The size is about 400x300 feet circular, and it has three levels of arched columns. It is said (not by me) that this is the 6th largest arean of Roman building era, and one of the best preserved (maybe outside facade). The seating was 23,000 at one time, and now is around 5,000. Events are still held here

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The star shaped castle has four bastions and was built by the Venetians in the 14th century.

The castle houses the historical museum of Istria.

opening hours;

JUNE - SEPT
8am - 9pm daily

OCT - MAY
8am - 5pm daily