The Best Travel Guide to Pula

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Croatia

Pula

Provided by: IstriaTB_ART-FHeuer/Istria Tourist Board

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Overview

Pula The guide was updated: 2023-02-22

Jewel of the verdant peninsula of Istria, Pula is the province’s largest city and forms a dramatic gateway to the seductive, crystalline waters of the Adriatic. Situated at the southernmost tip of the area, known as ’the new Tuscany’ for its bright medieval hilltop towns and ancient ruins, Pula boasts a rich and varied cultural heritage. The city is bordered by national parks, remarkable for their astounding unspoilt natural beauty, and is celebrated for its wonderfully preserved Roman amphitheatre and forum.

Facts

Population:	52,411 (2021 census)
Currency:	On January 1st 2023, Euro replaced Croatian kuna as the country's official currency.
Emergency numbers:	For all emergency situations: 112 Police: 192 Fire brigade: 193 Ambulance: 194
Newspapers:	Glas Istre — www.glasistre.hr
Website:	www.pulainfo.hr www.istra.hr/en/destinations/pula
Opening hours:	The majority of shops are open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday 8 am to 1 pm. You will also find that many food shops, supermarkets and outdoor markets are open daily from 7 am till 7 pm. Museum and gallery opening times vary from one place to another.
Tourist information:	Tourism Office Pula Forum 3, Pula +385 52 219 197 tz-pula@pu.t-com.hr

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Section in Pula

Pula offers a mixture of attractions for those interested in culture and history. Here you can see beautiful attractions like the Roman Amphitheatre, Ancient Cathedral, Old Town and the Temple of Augustus. Pula also offers fun family entertainment like the Aquarium with open tank with all kind of sea life. A great tourist asset is Pula’s 190 kilometre of coastline with crystal clear sea and beaches that suit everyone´s needs. If you would like to go for a short trip then Brijuni National Park is a great choose, located in an island close to Pula.

Triumphal Arch of the Sergii

Triumphal Arch of the Sergii

The Arch of Sergius (also referred to as the Golden Gate of Pula) commemorates the Sergii, one of the most influential families in the early Roman colony. The arch stood behind the original naval gate of the city and was paid for by the wife of Lepidus, Salvia Postuma. Their names are carved in the stone along with Lucius Sergius and Gaius Sergius. In its original form, statues of the two elders flanked Lepidus on both sides on the top of the arch.

Aquarium Pula

Aquarium Pula

Pula’s ever-popular aquarium occupies the floor of the city’s 14th-century AustroHungarian fortress. Highlights of the aquarium include the large sea water tanks that contain representatives of North Adriatic flora and fauna and a massive open tank that contains dogfish, sea urchins, crabs and star fish. Visitors can also take a boat ride to get a closer look at the aquarium’s inhabitants.

The Temple of Augustus

The Temple of Augustus

Located in the forum, this temple is dedicated to the Roman Emperor Augustus, and was built between the 2 BC and 14 AD, during the reconstruction of the colony. Having served a variety of different functions in its long history, including storing grain and as a church, the statuesque building is now used to house a collection of wonderfully preserved ancient bronze and stone sculptures.

The Franciscan Church and Monastery

The Franciscan Church and Monastery

Perched on the hill between the Forum and the upper part of the city, you will find the 14th-century church and monastery of St Francis of Assisi. Now used to house a remarkable collection of stone monuments and copies of Istrian frescoes, the church also hosts classical music concerts in the summer months.

Brijuni National Park

Brijuni National Park

A short trip out of Pula takes you to the acclaimed Brijuni National Park. This archipelago of islands has long been noted for its outstanding natural beauty and are edged with turquoise waters rich in sea life. A favourite haunt of visiting heads of state and the summer residence of Marshal Tito, from 1949 until his death in 1980, the islands can be reached by boat from Fažana, a village 5km from Pula, which is easily accessible by bus.

The Cathedral

The Cathedral

This ancient religious edifice is formed of an eclectic mix of architectural styles, reflecting the many changes it has undergone in its lengthy history. You can still see some of the 4th century remains on the outside of the church, from a time when the area was used as a refuge by Christians in times of persecution.

Archaeological Museum of Istria

Archaeological Museum of Istria

The main entrance to the Archaeological Museum of Istria (Arheoloski Muzej Istre) is actually one of the original gates that served as an entry point into the old Roman town. The museum carries a fascinating range of archaeological artefacts from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages from the region. You will find architectural highlights on the ground floor, Neolithic and Roman era finds on the first floor, Roman antiquities and medieval period artefacts on the second floor. Due to reconstruction works, closed during 2018 and beginning 2019.

The Arena

The Arena

Built during the reign of Emperor Vespasian in the 1st century AD, for an audience of 22,000, Pula’s three-storey Roman amphitheatre is one of the best preserved in the world and the sixth largest in existence. Every year, the arena plays host to Pula’s annual summer festival which brings in famous names from across the globe.

Lighting Giants

Lighting Giants

"Lighting Giants", Pula's new attraction since 2014, is a unique project in the world of lighting cranes of an operating shipyard, with sophisticated remote control system of lighting and scenography, and can be illuminated with 16 thousand different colour combinations. Enjoy this spectacular show and lighting display every evening on the hour from dusk till midnight.(from June 5 - September 15, every evening non stop from dusk till midnight).

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