10 Best Sights in Pula, Istria

Designed to accommodate 23,000 spectators, Pula's Arena is the sixth-largest building of its type in the world (after the Colosseum in Rome and similar arenas in Verona, Catania, Capua, and Arles). Construction was completed in the 1st century AD under the reign of Emperor Vespasian, and the Romans staged gladiator games here until such bloodthirsty sports were forbidden during the 5th century. It has remained more or less intact, except for the original tiers of stone seats and numerous columns that were hauled away for other buildings. Today it is used for summer concerts (by musicians including Sting, Robbie Williams, Imagine Dragons, and Jose Carreras), opera performances, and the annual film festival in mid-July. The underground halls house a museum with large wooden oil presses and amphorae.

The Forum, the original central square, administrative hub, and marketplace of ancient and medieval Pula, is still the city's most important public meeting place after 2,000 years. Today, the Forum is a spacious square ringed with bustling cafés, shops, and restaurants. There were once three temples here, only one of which remains: the Temple of Augustus. Perfectly preserved, the Augustov Hram was built between 2 BC and AD 14. Next to it stands the Gradska Palača (Town Hall), which was erected during the 13th century using part of another Roman temple as the back wall. The arcades on three sides of the Forum square were added later, during the Renaissance.

For a lively and aromatic atmosphere in which to have a shot of espresso, buy a banana, or just wander about gazing at food stands, check out Pula's market square, Narodni trg. The Tržnica (City Market) sits in the center of the square. On one side of the stately two-story market building—whose iron-and-glass construction was state-of-the-art when it opened to great fanfare in 1903—you'll find outdoor fruit and vegetable stands on stone tables under red umbrellas and, on the other side, cafés and small boutiques. Inside the Tržnica itself you will find the fish market (downstairs), meat and poultry butchers, bakeries, cheesemongers, fresh pasta, and several fast-food eateries (second floor).

Located on the ground floor of the onetime Austro-Hungarian fortress in the resort area of Verudela, a few kilometers from the city center, the aquarium also serves as a sea turtle rescue center. Its 35 pools offer a colorful look at hundreds of sea creatures from the Adriatic's underwater world and include a touch pool with sea stars, sea urchins, crabs, and sea squirts. Climb to the roof of the fort for great vistas over Pula.

Once part of a magnificent basilica built in the 6th century by Bishop Maximilian of Istria, the humble stone Chapel of St. Mary of Formosa can be found between Sigirijeva Ulica and the port. Over the centuries, the chapel fell into ruin, especially during a 1242 fire at the time of the Venetian conquest of Pula. A large portion of its interior was shipped to Venice, where it was used in building the St. Mark's Library and the Sale delle Quattro Porte of the Doge's Palace. Usually closed to visitors, it's occasionally used as a gallery space, which will give you a chance to take a peek at the interior.

The central scene of this large and lovely 3rd-century mosaic—which otherwise features geometric patterns, animals, and plants aplenty—is of the punishment of Dirce, who, according to Greek legend, lies under the enraged bull to whose horns she is about to be fastened. Once part of a Roman house, the mosaic was unearthed after World War II bombings.

The mosaic can be viewed for free by looking down through a grate beside an uninspiring apartment building a stone's throw from the Chapel of St. Mary of Formosa.

Whether from the cathedral or elsewhere along Kandlerova Ulica, a walk up the hill will lead you within minutes to the 17th-century Venetian fortress, the Kaštel, that towers over Pula's city center and houses the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria. Built on the site of a pre-Roman fort, the preserved star-shaped fortress dates back to 1630 and has four bastions. Despite its 100,000 items of cultural, historical, political, military, and ethnographic character displayed across 18 collections, the museum is somewhat lackluster. However, it does carry the value-added benefit of allowing you to wander around its ramparts.

Simply walking around its perimeter offers fine views of the city's extensive shipyard below and, if you look to the north, the steeple of Vodnjan's church 12 km (7½ miles) away.

Built originally in the 4th century, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pula's star ecclesiastical attraction—more often called simply St. Mary's Cathedral—was transformed in the second half of the 5th century into a three-nave basilica. Extensive reconstruction began in the 16th century, with the adjacent bell tower constructed in the late 17th century from stones taken from the Arena. Note that the Roman-era mosaic on the floor of the central nave bears a 5th-century donor's inscription.

Built by the Sergi family between 29 and 27 BC as a monument to three relatives who were great warriors, this striking monument features elaborate reliefs that even inspired Michelangelo to draw the arch during a 16th-century visit to Pula. The surrounding city gate and walls were removed in the 19th century to allow the city's expansion beyond the Old Town. Locals call it Zlatna vrata, or Golden Gate.

Don’t miss a trip to Trapan Food & Wine Station in Šišan, less than 10 km (6 miles) from Pula. A visit to this trendy winery includes a wine tasting and tour, with a full gastronomy experience available to complement the wines offered. Popular labels to take home include Uroboros and Ponente, both white wines of 100% Malvazija Istarska, and Che, a sparkling wine of 100% Terrano.