The Pula Amphitheatre: Croatia’s Ancient Marvel
The Pula Amphitheatre, often called the Arena of Pula, is one of Croatia’s most iconic landmarks and a spectacular reminder of the Roman Empire’s reach along the Adriatic coast. Towering above the heart of the city of Pula in Istria, this colossal structure has stood for nearly 2,000 years, bearing witness to centuries of history, culture, and change.
A stone building with many windows
A Monument of Roman Engineering
The amphitheatre was built in the 1st century AD, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, the same ruler who commissioned Rome’s Colosseum. It is the sixth largest surviving Roman amphitheatre in the world and among the best-preserved. Constructed from massive limestone blocks, the Arena once held around 20,000 spectators.
Its structure is elliptical, with four towers connected by arcades of 72 arches. The outer wall, rising up to 32 meters, is remarkably intact compared to many Roman monuments. Ingeniously designed, the Arena even had a system of underground channels that provided water for cleaning and for spectacular shows that sometimes included mock naval battles.
Gladiators, Spectacles, and Daily Life
In Roman times, the amphitheatre was the center of entertainment. Citizens flocked here to watch gladiatorial contests, wild animal hunts, and dramatic reenactments of famous battles.
Beneath the stone floor, a complex system of underground passages still exists today. These chambers once housed gladiators preparing for combat, cages with exotic animals, and storage for stage equipment. For modern visitors, walking these tunnels feels like stepping directly into history.
Legends of the Arena
The Arena is not only steeped in history but also in legend. One of the most charming stories claims that fairies built the amphitheatre overnight, carrying its massive stones from the Učka mountain range. When dawn broke, the fairies left, leaving the monument unfinished—but magnificent nonetheless.
Another tale says the amphitheatre’s underground once connected to tunnels leading all the way to the sea, enabling animals and supplies to be transported secretly during games.
From Decline to Revival
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the amphitheatre’s purpose shifted. During the Middle Ages, knights’ tournaments and fairs took place within its walls. Later, parts of the structure were at risk of being dismantled for building material. Fortunately, Venetian authorities in the 16th century issued strict laws to protect it, saving the monument from complete ruin.
Today, the Arena stands as one of the few fully preserved Roman amphitheatres with all four side towers still intact, making it a treasure not only for Croatia but for the whole of Europe.
A Stage for Culture and Imagination
Far from being a silent ruin, the Pula Amphitheatre is alive with culture. Each summer, it transforms into a breathtaking stage for concerts, operas, and theatrical productions. The Pula Film Festival, the oldest Croatian film festival (founded in 1954), is held here annually, turning the amphitheatre into an open-air cinema under the stars.
Some of the world’s greatest performers—Sting, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, and Norah Jones among them—have played in this unique venue, proving that the Arena is not only a relic of the past but also a living stage that bridges antiquity and the present.
Visiting the Amphitheatre Today
For visitors, the Arena is open year-round and includes a small museum beneath the amphitheatre that displays ancient tools, amphorae, and artifacts. Walking through the arches, visitors can admire breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea on one side and the city of Pula on the other.
Tips for visiting:
Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft and crowds are smaller.
Tickets: Affordable entry includes access to the underground museum. Guided tours are available in multiple languages.
Don’t miss: The amphitheatre glowing gold at sunset—an unforgettable sight.
Special experience: If possible, attend a summer concert or film screening. Experiencing live art inside a 2,000-year-old monument is unlike anything else in Europe.
The Pula Amphitheatre, often called the Arena of Pula, is one of Croatia’s most iconic landmarks and a spectacular reminder of the Roman Empire’s reach along the Adriatic coast. Towering above the heart of the city of Pula in Istria, this colossal structure has stood for nearly 2,000 years, bearing witness to centuries of history, culture, and change.
A stone building with many windows
A Monument of Roman Engineering
The amphitheatre was built in the 1st century AD, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, the same ruler who commissioned Rome’s Colosseum. It is the sixth largest surviving Roman amphitheatre in the world and among the best-preserved. Constructed from massive limestone blocks, the Arena once held around 20,000 spectators.
Its structure is elliptical, with four towers connected by arcades of 72 arches. The outer wall, rising up to 32 meters, is remarkably intact compared to many Roman monuments. Ingeniously designed, the Arena even had a system of underground channels that provided water for cleaning and for spectacular shows that sometimes included mock naval battles.
Gladiators, Spectacles, and Daily Life
In Roman times, the amphitheatre was the center of entertainment. Citizens flocked here to watch gladiatorial contests, wild animal hunts, and dramatic reenactments of famous battles.
Beneath the stone floor, a complex system of underground passages still exists today. These chambers once housed gladiators preparing for combat, cages with exotic animals, and storage for stage equipment. For modern visitors, walking these tunnels feels like stepping directly into history.
Legends of the Arena
The Arena is not only steeped in history but also in legend. One of the most charming stories claims that fairies built the amphitheatre overnight, carrying its massive stones from the Učka mountain range. When dawn broke, the fairies left, leaving the monument unfinished—but magnificent nonetheless.
Another tale says the amphitheatre’s underground once connected to tunnels leading all the way to the sea, enabling animals and supplies to be transported secretly during games.
From Decline to Revival
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the amphitheatre’s purpose shifted. During the Middle Ages, knights’ tournaments and fairs took place within its walls. Later, parts of the structure were at risk of being dismantled for building material. Fortunately, Venetian authorities in the 16th century issued strict laws to protect it, saving the monument from complete ruin.
Today, the Arena stands as one of the few fully preserved Roman amphitheatres with all four side towers still intact, making it a treasure not only for Croatia but for the whole of Europe.
A Stage for Culture and Imagination
Far from being a silent ruin, the Pula Amphitheatre is alive with culture. Each summer, it transforms into a breathtaking stage for concerts, operas, and theatrical productions. The Pula Film Festival, the oldest Croatian film festival (founded in 1954), is held here annually, turning the amphitheatre into an open-air cinema under the stars.
Some of the world’s greatest performers—Sting, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, and Norah Jones among them—have played in this unique venue, proving that the Arena is not only a relic of the past but also a living stage that bridges antiquity and the present.
Visiting the Amphitheatre Today
For visitors, the Arena is open year-round and includes a small museum beneath the amphitheatre that displays ancient tools, amphorae, and artifacts. Walking through the arches, visitors can admire breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea on one side and the city of Pula on the other.
Tips for visiting:
Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon, when the light is soft and crowds are smaller.
Tickets: Affordable entry includes access to the underground museum. Guided tours are available in multiple languages.
Don’t miss: The amphitheatre glowing gold at sunset—an unforgettable sight.
Special experience: If possible, attend a summer concert or film screening. Experiencing live art inside a 2,000-year-old monument is unlike anything else in Europe.