Checking out the Roman Pula Arena in Istria County, Croatia

The Pula Arena or Ampitheater in Pula, Croatia is one of the remaining well-preserved Roman coliseums in the world. She reminds me of the Coloseum in Rome, albeit a smaller version.

The arena is the pride of Pula in the Istria County of Croatia.

Pula Ampitheater
More information: Pula Arena

The arena was built between the periods 27 BC to 68 AD. This is the symbol of the city and the ruins even appears on Croatia’s bank note, the 10 Kuna (10 HRK). The restored ampitheater is built in limestone and can seat up to 5,000 spectators.

As you may be aware of already, coliseums were built during the Roman days for spectacular gladiatorial combats. Gladiators fight against wild animals and sometimes other gladiators as well. It is a game that ends ultimately in death. The only similar game that I can think of that remains up to this day is bullfighting in Spain, which I can tell you now, I will never ever dare to watch. I think it is gruesome and barbaric.

Nowadays, the arena is used as a venue for concerts and cinematic works, as well as for sporting events. Pavarotti, Bocelli and Elton John for example have held concerts here.

I came here to Pula from Rovinj with the rental car and luckily I found a big parking area just below the coliseum. When I am parking my car in a strange city I usually try to park near a very prominent building or street so it is easy for me to remember. I guess I do not have that problem here in Pula after finding this public parking lot =)

Arriving in Pula with my rental car and I noticed the somewhat rundown state of the buildings yet very charming in their own way.

I did a drive around the city and found the perfect parking area.

This is the route I took. Well, there is I guess only one route from Rovinj (where I stayed) to Pula anyway.

The highways in the southern part of Istria are brand new. There are tollgates stationed in the exits and you can pay by cash or credit card. Also, very few cars are on the road. It somehow reminds me of Cuba and Jordan except that the roads are new.

Read here my experience about driving in Croatia and Slovenia here: Stories about travel logistics

You can move the map with your mouse, zoom it in or zoom it out with the + and - signs on the lower right hand of the map.

You can only go inside in the outer part of the arena.

The countries across the Adriatic Sea (Slovenia, Croatia and a part of Greek-Ionian Islands such as Corfu) were once a part of the Roman Empire, particularly under the Venetians so there's Roman relics all over this area.

The guys in blue inside the area I think are sporters doing a game exercise.

I saw this on the wall beside the coliseum: Charlie Brown and Snoopy seems to be popular here. I remember my early high school years in the early 80's where I made Snoopy bookmarks and sold them to my classmates. My mom got angry eventually as I was not doing my homework anymore, haha.

It was a dry day in Pula. A bit of both, blue skies and clouds.

One of the streets in Pula. Here I am on my way from the Pula Arena to the city centre.

More soon of Pula.

Travel Period: March 2014
Destination: Rovinj (Istria), Croatia

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