Landmarks you must visit in Pula

Very often the first thing people think about when they think of Pula is its magnificent Arena. Even though you definitely must see this landmark when you visit Pula, this lovely town is full of other beautiful places that are very much worth a visit. This is just a short list of places among the many Pula has to offer.

The Temple of Augustus

The rich ancient Roman history of Pula is visible on every step you make in the city centre, and especially on the Forum, where this imposing building is also located. The temple was built between 2 B.C. and 14 A.D., and it is dedicated to goddess Roma, the personification of the Roman Empire, and to the first Roman emperor, Augustus, who it was also named after. In the centuries since it was build, the temple had many functions: it was used as a Christian church, for grain storage and as a museum of stone monuments. The temple had been badly damaged in a bombing during World War II, but it was restored shortly after the war ended. Today, the temple houses ancient Roman statues.

The Small Roman Theatre

In the ancient Roman times, Pula was a town famous for its entertainment industry, because, in addition to the amphitheatre, two additional theatres were built. The smaller one, built in the 1st century A.D., is still very well preserved, and it is located within the town walls. You can reach this small theatre with a capacity of approximately five thousand spectators by passing through the Twin Gates, one of the many gates that were a part of the old town walls.

Archaeological Museum of Istria

If you pass through the Twin Gates in search of the Small Roman Theatre, you will also reach the Archaeological Museum of Istria, an institution that houses numerous archaeological finds that tell the tale of the rich Istrian history. The permanent exhibitions include prehistoric exhibits, an ancient Roman collection as well as medieval exhibits. In addition to the exhibition in the museum building, you can visit exhibitions belonging to the Archaeological Museum of Istria in the Amphitheatre, the Temple of Augustus, and Nesactium.

Zerostrasse

After exploring the rich ancient Roman heritage of Pula, you can visit the underground tunnels that the Austro-Hungarian government built just before World War I due to the strategic importance of Pula. The tunnels were kept in good repair even after the war, and for a time they were repurposed into a nuclear shelter that could house fifty thousand people. In the tunnels you can check out an interesting exhibition about the Astro-Hungarian navy and aviation in Istria, as well as take a refreshing walk in the tunnels where temperature in the summer is around 14 to 18 degrees Celsius.

The Pula Market Building

This building, whose construction began in 1902, was considered a real miracle of construction technology at the time, as it was built using new construction methods as well as “new” materials: iron and glass. The huge spans of the building, made possible by the use of iron constructions, housed a fish market, an ice market, and stalls for selling fruit and vegetables. The market building was thoroughly restored in 1997, which means that you can experience the spirit of the beginning of the 20th Century even today, and buy fresh fish and authentic Istrian produce while you’re there.

This short list is just a fragment of all that Pula has to offer. We recommend that you make your future adventure in Pula even better by choosing some of the best accommodations in Istria available at the Molo Longo websites.