ACI Pula Pula: Embracing the Roman Empire

Embracing the Roman Empire

If we start from the triumphal arch of the Sergiis, by the ancient "Golden gate" on the east and carry on along the former ‘'decumanus'' towards the west - all the way to the "Forum", a square that has been known as such since the Roman times, and is known under this name even today, we will pass through the Roman Pula.
Further west from the Forum, where the ACI Marina is located today, there used to be a Roman port. Next to the port of today, still stands not the largest, but definitely one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres - the Arena of Pula. Today, it is used as a stage for film and music shows as well as for different sport events. The Hercules Gate from the 1st century B.C., the city wall ruins, the early Christian church, the Jupiter's temple at the Forum... Pula, located on the eastern coast of the Adriatic, is the town with the most of Rome within itself.
After the Roman period, Pula was neglected, forgotten and brought to ruin.
And then a rise again - when the Austro-Hungarian monarchy assigned to Pula the role of the main arsenal. Defensive fortifications were built on the nearby Brioni with powerful canons that can be seen even today, standing here and there and cherishing the memory of history. The Venetian citadel on top of the "roman hill" was fortified into an unconquerable bastion. However, Pula also gained palaces, a shipyard, a naval hospital, a unique navy sailors' graveyard... Shortly afterwards Pula outshined Rovinj in the number of inhabitants, and has become the largest town in Istria.