{"id":140,"date":"2018-09-11T23:26:32","date_gmt":"2018-09-11T21:26:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hmd-cms.hr\/power-of-microbes-2027\/?page_id=140"},"modified":"2026-09-15T11:08:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T09:08:00","slug":"local-attractions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hmd-cms.hr\/power-of-microbes-2027\/local-attractions\/","title":{"rendered":"Local attractions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pula, situated at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, is a city shaped by more than three thousand years of history. Its unique character reflects the many civilisations and cultures that have left their mark on the city, from the ancient Histri and Romans to the Venetians and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today, Pula combines an exceptionally rich historical heritage with the atmosphere of a lively Mediterranean city on the Adriatic coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Roman period left some of Pula’s most remarkable monuments. The city was an important Roman settlement and developed into a significant administrative, military and commercial centre. The impressive Arena, the Temple of Augustus, the Roman Forum and the Arch of the Sergii still form the architectural backbone of the historic centre and make Pula one of the most distinctive historic cities on the Adriatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pula’s history, however, does not end with antiquity. During the Venetian period and, particularly, under Austro-Hungarian rule, the city developed into one of the most important naval ports of the Adriatic. Fortresses, underground tunnels, military buildings and the naval heritage of the city are a reminder of this later chapter in Pula’s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For visitors attending the symposium, one of the greatest advantages of Pula is that many of its most important sights are located within walking distance of one another. The historic centre can easily be explored on foot, allowing visitors to combine ancient Roman monuments with medieval and Austro-Hungarian heritage, lively squares, caf\u00e9s and the waterfront.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pula Arena<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Pula Arena is the city’s most recognisable landmark and one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world. Built from local limestone, the monumental structure has dominated the city and its harbour for almost two thousand years. Originally designed for public spectacles, including gladiatorial contests, the amphitheatre could accommodate around 20,000 spectators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, visitors can walk through the interior of the Arena, explore its preserved architectural features and descend into the underground passages, where exhibitions present aspects of Roman life in Istria. The monument continues to play an important role in the cultural life of the city and regularly provides an extraordinary setting for concerts, film screenings and other events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arena is located close to the historic centre and can easily be combined with a walk through the old town, the Roman Forum and other major sights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roman Forum and Temple of Augustus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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At the heart of Pula’s historic centre lies the Roman Forum, the city’s principal square and the traditional centre of public and social life. For more than two thousand years, this area has remained one of the focal points of the city. Today, historic buildings, caf\u00e9s and restaurants surround the stone-paved square, while the Temple of Augustus stands as its most prominent ancient monument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Temple of Augustus was built between 2 BC and AD 14 and is one of the best-preserved Roman temples on the Adriatic. Dedicated to the goddess Roma and Emperor Augustus, it is a fine example of classical Roman architecture, with its characteristic Corinthian columns and carefully worked stone fa\u00e7ade. Today, the temple houses a small exhibition of Roman sculptures and archaeological artefacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Forum is particularly pleasant in the early evening, when the historic architecture, surrounding terraces and lively atmosphere come together to create one of the most characteristic scenes in central Pula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arch of the Sergii<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Arch of the Sergii is one of Pula’s most recognisable Roman monuments and marks the beginning of the pedestrianised Sergijevaca Street leading towards the Forum. Erected in honour of members of the Sergii family, an influential Roman family in ancient Pula, the arch is an elegant reminder of the city’s importance during the Roman period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its location makes it a natural starting point for exploring the old town. From here, visitors can follow Sergijevaca Street towards the Forum, passing historic buildings, shops and caf\u00e9s along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ka\u0161tel Fortress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Rising above the historic centre, Ka\u0161tel occupies the central hill of Pula and offers some of the best views over the old town, the harbour and the surrounding area. The fortress is a reminder of the city’s long military history and of Pula’s strategic importance as a protected Adriatic harbour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Ka\u0161tel is home to the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria and provides an opportunity to explore both the city’s fortification heritage and its wider historical development. Its elevated position also makes it an excellent viewpoint from which to appreciate the relationship between Pula’s historic centre and the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zerostrasse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Beneath Ka\u0161tel lies Zerostrasse, an extensive network of underground passages and shelters constructed before and during the First World War, when Pula was an important Austro-Hungarian naval port. The tunnels form a fascinating hidden layer of the city and provide a different perspective on Pula’s military past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The accessible section extends for approximately 400 metres, with wide passages leading towards a central underground area. The cool and atmospheric tunnels can be visited together with Ka\u0161tel and the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria, making them a particularly interesting addition to a walk through the historic centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.ppmi.hr\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located within Ka\u0161tel, the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria presents the complex history of the region and the special role that Pula has played as a maritime and military centre. Its collections cover different periods of Istrian history, from ancient times through the Venetian and Austro-Hungarian periods and the major events of the twentieth century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The museum is particularly relevant for understanding why Pula developed such a distinctive architectural landscape. Its exhibits explore the city’s maritime heritage, military history and cultural development, while the fortress itself provides an important part of the historical experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pula Aquarium and Fort Verudela<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/aquarium.hr\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For visitors interested in the natural world as well as cultural heritage, Aquarium Pula offers a different experience. It is located inside Fort Verudela, a former Austro-Hungarian coastal fortress on the Verudela peninsula. The historic military architecture now houses marine, freshwater and tropical exhibits, creating an unusual combination of natural and cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aquarium presents Adriatic species and habitats together with tropical and freshwater environments. It also includes educational content related to marine conservation and a sea turtle rescue centre. The surrounding Verudela peninsula adds opportunities for a walk along the coast and views of the Adriatic Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Old Town of Pula<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beyond its individual monuments, Pula’s historic centre itself is one of its greatest attractions. The streets around the Forum, Sergijevaca Street, Ka\u0161tel and the Arena bring together architectural traces from many different periods, from Roman antiquity and medieval Pula to Venetian and Austro-Hungarian influences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A walk through the old town is therefore less a visit to a single monument than a journey through the different layers of the city’s history. With its stone streets, historic squares, caf\u00e9s and restaurants, the centre is also an ideal place to experience the contemporary Mediterranean character of Pula after a day of scientific sessions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pula, situated at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, is a city shaped by more than three thousand years of history. Its unique character reflects the many civilisations and cultures that have left their mark on the city, from the ancient Histri and Romans to the Venetians and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today, Pula combines […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-140","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t