Dates: May 2013

 

Route: Drove from Rovinj.

 

22miles (35km) away to the south from Rovinj lies Pula which we found boring and rather industrial. The only thing of note in the city is the massive Roman amphitheater, the Area. Bearing a strong resemblance to the one in Rome, it is claimed that it is the “only remaining Roman amphitheater to have four side towers and with all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved.” It is very well preserved and we were able to explore well preserved tunnels used by the gladiators and the stands that show how the social strata of that period enjoyed the sports. The Arena is still in use today for various functions and festivals.

 

We did walk around the older part of the city and the only other thing we found of value was the Venetian fortress at the top of a hill. You can get good views of the area around Pula from here but they are marred by cranes and other industrial stuff.

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