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| The Amphitheater * Pula * Croatia * December 2013 |
This post is the second in a series of sight seeing trips we took while Nick was visiting us in December. I do find it fascinating to read about and love visiting any and all Architectural (or is it Archeology?) Historic sites and building. In Croatia you do not need to go very far nor search very hard to find both.
Along with the few pictures I took, I have included some history of the city of Pula. Brief because it's history is some 3000 years old!
Disclaimer: All information quoted and/or rewritten here is from public internet* tourist sites & brochures I have collected. I cannot imagine having to study the long, complicated history of Croatia, nor be tested on it. MCAS material it is not!
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| Built in the Roman Imperial period (1st - 3rd centuries)
Some of the greatest classical monuments in Croatia were built in Pula. The most magnificent is the Amphitheater aka the Pula Arena. This Amphitheater, was built in the 1st century AD, during the rule of Emperor Vespasian at the same time as the magnificent Colosseum in Rome. The Arena could once hold up to 23,000 spectators, host to gladiatorial battles under the Romans and the tournaments of knights in medieval times.
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| Adriatic Sea |
Pula is on the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula today it is that area's largest city, it looks out at he Adriatic Sea. It was fortified by walls, however in the beginning of the 19th century, much was destroyed so that only some of the gates have been preserved until today, not far from the Twin Gates are the remains of a sepulchral structure, octagonal Mausoleum dating from the 1st – 2nd centuries AD. The Forum, the central city square of ancient and medieval Pula, was on three sides surrounded by arcades with statues and reliefs and on the northern side by temples.
This Temple, situated in the Forum, is dedicated to Emperor Augustus and the goddess Roma. It was constructed between the year 2 BC and AD 14 when the Emperor died. The function of the Temples* changed through the years: with the ending of the pagan ancient era its original pagan function ceased and the temple was afterwards used as a church, granary, and in the beginning of the 19th century it was a museum for stone monuments. Nowadays it houses a collection of ancient stone and bronze sculptures.
*The other twin temple, of which only the back wall is preserved, is believed to have been constructed at the same time and in the same style and was called the Temple of Diana.
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| Pula Arena December 2013 |
Although these are tourist sights, like in most of Croatia, they are also part of Pula’s everyday life. The Pula Arena has been restored with a capacity of 5,000 people, and host shows, operas and film festivals. The Communal Palace, also within the Forum, during Venetian rule, was the seat of the Duke and Proveditor, while today it is the seat of the mayor. Here it is seems so common to reuse what ever you can so many building are built building on to what was already there, even if it is 100's or 1000's of year old. Making for some very interesting places.
Unfortunately we did not get to go inside any of these historic places. (December is not really a tourist season in Pula). But to walk around and see things built in the 1st century ... really magnificent! (too quote a couple brochures).
Christine
*If you are still wondering...
http://www.pulainfo.hr/en/informacije/history-of-pula/16/
http://www.adriaticsailor.com/what_to_see_in_pula/sailing_adriatic/14/charter_portal/2909/213/EN
Very interesting, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to read it Jo-Ann! And I know you are praying for us! God bless
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