Although it is the biggest city in the Istria County region of Croatia, Pula is still small on a global scale. With fewer than 60,000 inhabitants, it is often overlooked in favor of Split and Dubrovnik. However, Pula is a beautiful seaside city with a splendid mixture of Roman and Croatian culture.
The Romans conquered the Istrian peninsula in the early second century BC. Pula achieved colonial rank amongst Roman territories during the 40s BC. It took the wrong side in the Roman civil war by choosing Cassius. Once Octavian became the first Roman emperor, he had the town demolished. However, his daughter, Iulia, had it rebuilt. The magnificent Pula Arena, a Roman amphitheater, was completed in 68 AD and remains one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks today.
Pula depends on shipbuilding, but that is an industry on a steep decline. As a consequence, the city is beginning to increase its tourism sector. However, it still attracts significantly fewer people than the likes of Dubrovnik. As such, it will probably retain off-the-beaten-track status for several more years.
Ensure you bring sunscreen if you visit Pula during the summer, as its temperatures can reach the low 80s Fahrenheit. The city has some beautiful beaches, and local produce such as Kumparicka Cheese and Trapan Wines is well worth trying. Apart from the Arena, there is also the Pula Forum and a host of mosaics for history lovers. It remains a relatively inexpensive place to visit, though that will inevitably change as it becomes more popular.
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