With a history spanning three millennia, marked by wars and settlements, Pula’s rich cultural heritage is palpable throughout the city.
The Pula Arena, also known as the Amphitheatre, stands as one of Croatia’s most recognizable symbols. Perched on a small hill overlooking the sea, it is the sixth-largest Roman amphitheater globally and the largest ancient monument in Croatia, remarkably well-preserved. Construction began during the reign of Emperor Augustus in the 1st century AD and was completed under the Flavian dynasty. Legend has it that Emperor Vespasian built the Arena alongside Rome’s Colosseum, inspired by his love for the enchanting Antonia Cenida of Pula.
Another ancient tale suggests that supernatural beings were responsible for its construction. According to folklore, delicate and ethereal creatures danced and played under the moonlight, hidden from humans during the day. One night, these fairies decided to construct a town, laboriously transporting stones from Učka Mountain. They arranged the stones in a circle to create the magnificent structure, racing against dawn to complete their task. When the first light appeared, the fairies vanished into their secret lairs, leaving behind scattered rocks from Učka to the seashore, resulting in the Pula Arena being left unfinished. The awestruck locals attributed the amphitheater’s grandeur to these mysterious forces, naming it Divić-grad, meaning “the town of miracles” (with divić being an old Slavic word for “miracle” and grad meaning “town”).
In the Middle Ages, the Arena hosted knights’ tournaments and fairs. Today, it serves as a venue for the Film Festival, Opera Season, Equestrian Festival, concerts, and various summer events, providing a stunning open stage for some of the world’s most talented musicians.
Constructed from local limestone, the Arena features an elliptical shape with axes measuring 130 meters in length and 100 meters in width. At its center lies a flat area known as the fighting ground, where spectators could sit on stone steps or stand in the galleries. The amphitheater is believed to have accommodated up to 20,000 spectators.
During the summer months, the Arena hosts gladiator battles as part of the historical entertainment spectacle Spectacvla Antiqva. The underground passageways, once used by combatants, now feature exhibitions on ancient viticulture and olive cultivation in Istria. These displays include reconstructions of mills, presses, and vessels that were historically used for producing olive oil and wine, as well as amphorae for storing and transporting these precious liquids.
From the iconic Amphitheater to the Gate of Hercules, the Twin Gates, the Temple of Augustus, the Small Roman Theatre, and the Triumphal Arch of the Sergi, visitors can trace the evolution of this southern Istrian city and envision the grandeur of its past.