Croatian Travel: Pula's Roman Amphitheater

The Roman Amphitheater of Pula

In the city of Pula, located on the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, there is a 1st century Roman amphitheater that is the sixth-largest Roman ruin of its type, the largest of which is the Colosseum in Rome. This imposing and awe inspiring site was originally designed to hold 22,000 spectators for the popular gladiator games that the Romans are so famous for. These blood-thirsty games were outlawed during the 5th century and the amphitheater was left to crumble.

During Venetian rule in the 16th century, plans were made to move the amphitheater stone by stone to the city of Venice, but those plans failed and the arena remained. Made entirely from local limestone, the amphitheater stands nearly 100 feet high and is encircled by two rows of 72 arches. At the top of the high walls you can see the remains of the Roman water collection system, as well as the original slabs used to hold the giant fabric canopies that shielded the spectators from the hot summer sun.

Unfortunately, during the Middle Ages the original tiers of seats and stone columns were removed and used to construct other buildings, but overall the amphitheater is remarkably well preserved. Today the Roman Amphitheater in Pula is used for summer concerts, festivals, and opera performances. In July the arena plays host to the Croatian Film Festival where local and international films are shown under the starlit skies.

The amphitheater can be visited year round and is open for tours from May to September 8am to 9pm and from October to April from 8:30am to 4:30pm.