Praising Pula

The Bora winds kicking up gave us some extra time to explore the charming city of Pula. It is a port town that has been around since prehistoric times. Pula is most famous for the spectacular Roman ruins that are very well preserved scattered around the city like jewels in a treasure box. The crowning jewel of these treasures is the first century amphitheater that rises at the bay’s edge. This Roman structure is the sixth largest amphitheater in existence and one of the best preserved. The outer white stone walls are pretty much still intact. The seating in the center of the arena is about a fifth of what it once was. Many of the square seating blocks were removed in the 15th century to be used to construct a castle and other city buildings that are still around town. When built, the amphitheater held 25.000 spectators. These stunning architectural Roman masterpieces are still amazing examples of brilliant engineering. Gladiator fights have given way to opera, rock concerts and, while we were in town, an international film festival. It is nice to see these old structures still in used today. I think the Romans would have liked that. The town has the usual pedigree of invaders and conquerors. Nowhere is it more evident than in the town square. Holding the kingpin position is a Roman temple that is still largely intact. This temple was built in the first century and part of the original Roman forum that once made up the town square. Next to it is a building that looks like it was built during medieval times complete with carvings of dashing knights and majestic coat of arms. One of the walls is from a Roman temple to Athena; the wall is all that remains of this temple. To complete the town square are building built by the Venetians who ruled this city for 800 years. The rest of the gems scattered around town are Roman gates and arched monuments to the once powerful Roman elite. Even Hercules has a single arched gate that is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the city. At the top of the arch is a carving of the head of Hercules with a club signifying his strength.