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Pula stadswandeling

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Trail stats

Distance
4.72 mi
Elevation gain
167 ft
Technical difficulty
Easy
Elevation loss
167 ft
Max elevation
111 ft
TrailRank 
49
Min elevation
5 ft
Trail type
Loop
Moving time
2 hours
Time
4 hours 2 minutes
Coordinates
1147
Uploaded
May 16, 2024
Recorded
May 2024
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near Pula, Istarska (Hrvatska)

Viewed 215 times, downloaded 7 times

Trail photos

Photo ofPula stadswandeling Photo ofPula stadswandeling Photo ofPula stadswandeling

Itinerary description

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This city walk passes the most important monuments of Pula. You start at the farmers market and walk through the shopping street under the golden gate with city walls. We also pass churches, chapels, the municipal palace, Temple of Augustus, monastery, amphitheatres and Zerostrasse. This is an underground corridor system (raid shelters for 6,000 people). This corridor system ends at the higher fort (entrance €7). Recommended. At the fort you have beautiful panoramic views.

Waypoints

PictographRuins Altitude 28 ft
Photo ofTriomfboog van de Sergi - Gouden Poort

Triomfboog van de Sergi - Gouden Poort

Triumphal Arch of the Sergi - Golden Gate The "Golden Gate" was erected between 29 and 27 BC by the Sergi family, in honor of three members of the family who held important positions in Pula at that time. This triumphal arch leaned against the city gate Porta Aurea and was so called because of the richly decorated arch or gilded elements. The gate and wall were demolished in the early 19th century as a result of the urban expansion outside the city walls. The arch was built in Corinthian style with strong Hellenistic and Asian Minor influences, both in method and decoration. Because the eastern side was not visible, it remained largely unworked, while the western side of the city is richly decorated. Today, the square next to the arch hosts numerous cultural performances, both theatrical and musical. The adjacent street is a shopping area.

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PictographRuins Altitude 33 ft
Photo ofStadsomwalling

Stadsomwalling

Twin gates and city walls In ancient times and the Middle Ages, the entire city was surrounded by walls and you entered through a dozen gates. The walls had become old and redundant, so they were demolished at the beginning of the 19th century. Parts of the walls between the Twin Gates and Giardini Square have been preserved to this day. The Twin Gates, so called because of the two arches leading into the courtyard that was once the entrance to the city, were built between the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The Twin Gates today lead to the Archaeological Museum and the Castle. Remains, partially restored, of an octagonal funerary structure - Mausoleum from the 1st - 2nd century have been found opposite the Double Gates.

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PictographRuins Altitude 26 ft
Photo ofTriomfboog van de Sergi - Gouden Poort

Triomfboog van de Sergi - Gouden Poort

Triumphal Arch of the Sergi - Golden Gate The "Golden Gate" was erected between 29 and 27 BC by the Sergi family, in honor of three members of the family who held important positions in Pula at that time. This triumphal arch leaned against the city gate Porta Aurea and was so called because of the richly decorated arch or gilded elements. The gate and wall were demolished in the early 19th century as a result of the urban expansion outside the city walls. The arch was built in Corinthian style with strong Hellenistic and Asian Minor influences, both in method and decoration. Because the eastern side was not visible, it remained largely unworked, while the western side of the city is richly decorated. Today, the square next to the arch hosts numerous cultural performances, both theatrical and musical. The adjacent street is a shopping area.

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PictographWaypoint Altitude 23 ft

Waypoint

Photo ofCrkva Gospe od Milosrda Kerk van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Barmhartigheid

Crkva Gospe od Milosrda Kerk van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Barmhartigheid

Photo ofKapela sv. Marije Formoze. Kapel van St. Maria Formosa Photo ofKapela sv. Marije Formoze. Kapel van St. Maria Formosa

Kapela sv. Marije Formoze. Kapel van St. Maria Formosa

Chapel of St. Maria Formosa This is one of two chapels built in the 6th century as part of a large Benedictine abbey that was demolished in the 16th century. The floor and walls were decorated with mosaics, some of which are now in the Archaeological Museum of Istria. It was built in the style of the churches of Ravenna, the only difference being the use of stone instead of brick. Thanks to its dimensions, construction method and good state of preservation, the chapel is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece of its time.

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PictographMonument Altitude 20 ft
Photo of1 Gemeentelijk Paleis 2 Tempel van Augustus 3 Forum Photo of1 Gemeentelijk Paleis 2 Tempel van Augustus 3 Forum Photo of1 Gemeentelijk Paleis 2 Tempel van Augustus 3 Forum

1 Gemeentelijk Paleis 2 Tempel van Augustus 3 Forum

Municipal Palace During the time when Pula was a free municipality, a palace was built in the Forum - the seat of municipal self-government. During Venetian rule it was the seat of the duke and provveditore, and to this day it has remained the seat of the mayor. Additions over the centuries (from the 10th to the 16th century) have led to a building that combines architectural styles from the Romanesque to the Renaissance in an exceptional way. The inscription in the facade, which was restored in the 16th century, dates the construction of the community palace to 1296. The year probably refers to the first major renovation and addition, because this was certainly the seat of the municipal council earlier. Earlier phases of the development of the Municipal Palace in terms of its construction are best seen on the eastern wall where Romanesque and Gothic styles merge. Sculptures of Telamon and Sirene in the corners, closed by Renaissance columns, and Baroque windows are the latest changes to the exterior of the Municipal Palace: neglect and negligence have left significant marks on the building that has recently been extensively restored. Temple of Augustus The temple, located in the Forum, is dedicated to the goddess Roma and Emperor Augustus. It was built between 2 BC and 14 AD, when the emperor died. The shape follows the typical pattern of temples. The function of the temple changed over the years: with the end of pagan antiquity, the original pagan function ceased and the temple was then used as a church, granary and in the early 19th century as a museum of stone monuments. In 1944 it was hit by a bomb and completely destroyed. It was rebuilt between 1945 and 1947 and today houses a collection of ancient stone and bronze statues. The other twin temple, of which only the rear wall has been preserved, was probably built at the same time and in the same style and was called the Temple of Diana. Forum The main square of classical and medieval Pula is located at the foot of the central hill, in the western part of the city close to the sea. The coast where the Forum was built in the 1st century BC had to be filled in to cover a larger area. The Forum was the core of city life, the religious, administrative, legislative and commercial center. On the northern part of the Forum were two twin temples and a central temple dedicated to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. Today, only the Temple of Augustus has been completely preserved, while only the back wall of the second temple is still visible, which was built in the 13th century in the common palace. Ancient remains of the Forum have been found during the construction of new buildings, the most recent being "Agrippina and Her Times" (1st century AD). The remains have been partially restored and are now displayed in the bank built on the site. To this day, the Forum remains the administrative and legislative center of the city. Numerous cultural events take place during the summer months.

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PictographWaypoint Altitude 31 ft
Photo ofWaypoint

Waypoint

Photo ofKerk en klooster van Sint Franciscus Photo ofKerk en klooster van Sint Franciscus Photo ofKerk en klooster van Sint Franciscus

Kerk en klooster van Sint Franciscus

Church and Monastery of Saint Francis On the slope of the hill between the Forum and the upper circular street, lies the monastery complex dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, built in the 14th century on the site of an earlier cult building. The Franciscan community was first mentioned in Pula in the 13th century. The church was built in 1314 in the late Romanesque style with Gothic ornaments, as a sturdy and simple building of the preaching Franciscan order. The finely chopped stone blocks used to build the walls are testament to the skilled masters who took part in their construction.

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PictographFlora Altitude 62 ft
Photo ofPioenroos (Paeonia lactiflora) Photo ofPioenroos (Paeonia lactiflora)

Pioenroos (Paeonia lactiflora)

Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) The Paeonia lactiflora is one of the parents of many garden peonies. The peony blooms with single white or light pink flowers, with a center full of yellow stamens.

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PictographCastle Altitude 107 ft
Photo ofCastello Fortezza veneziana Photo ofCastello Fortezza veneziana Photo ofCastello Fortezza veneziana

Castello Fortezza veneziana

Castle From the upper ring road, one of the perpendicular paths leads to the top of the city's central hill where a star-shaped castle with four bastions was built in 1630. To protect the city and the port, due to its great importance for maritime trade in the north of the Adriatic Sea, the Venetians commissioned the French military architect Antoine de Ville to build the castle. This was most likely the site of an earlier fort from the pre-Roman and Roman periods. The Histrian hillfort was built mainly for defensive purposes, while in the Roman period a small military garrison was stationed here. Today the castle houses the Historical Museum of Istria.

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PictographPanorama Altitude 85 ft
Photo ofPanorama Photo ofPanorama Photo ofPanorama

Panorama

Photo ofOrthodoxe kerk van St. Nicolaas

Orthodoxe kerk van St. Nicolaas

Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas Built in the second half of the 6th century, with a typical Ravenna-style polygonal apse, the church was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. After the radical reconstruction around 1200, it was assigned in 1583 to the Greek Orthodox community in Pula, formed by immigrants from Cyprus and Nafplion: Today it belongs to the Serbian Orthodox Church. The iconostasis of the Greek master Tomios Batos from the 18th century, valuable icons and other objects are preserved.

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PictographRuins Altitude 36 ft
Photo ofArena - Amfitheater Photo ofArena - Amfitheater Photo ofArena - Amfitheater

Arena - Amfitheater

Arena - Amphitheatre The most famous and important monument, the starting and ending point of any sightseeing tour is the Amphitheater, popularly called the Arena of Pula, where gladiator fights once took place. It was built in the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, at the same time as the beautiful Colosseum in Rome. The ground plan is elliptical, the longer axis measuring about 130 m and the shorter about 100 m. Gladiator fights took place in the central flat area called the arena, while spectators could sit on the stone levels or stand on the gallery. It is believed that the amphitheater could seat approximately 20,000 spectators. Local limestone was used for construction. In the Middle Ages, knight tournaments and annual fairs were held here. Today it is the venue for many different events - Pula Film Festival, various concerts, opera, ballet, sports competitions... as its capacity is about 5000 spectators. During the summer months, gladiator fights take place every week in the Arena as part of the historical and entertainment spectacle "Spectacvla Antiqva". The underground passages, once used by gladiators, now regularly host exhibitions on wine growing and olive growing in Istria in ancient times. Exhibitions include reconstructions of machines once used for the production of olive oil and wine (mills, presses, barrels) and amphorae used for the storage and transportation of olive oil and wine. The Amphitheater is located outside the old city walls due to its size and geographical configuration. The road leading to the center was built during Emperor Vespasian, after whom it was named - Via Flavia. To this day it is one of the city's most important roads.

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PictographRuins Altitude 49 ft
Photo ofTweelinkpoorten en stadsmuren Photo ofTweelinkpoorten en stadsmuren

Tweelinkpoorten en stadsmuren

Twin gates and city walls In ancient times and the Middle Ages, the entire city was surrounded by walls and you entered through a dozen gates. The walls had become old and redundant, so they were demolished at the beginning of the 19th century. Parts of the walls between the Twin Gates and Giardini Square have been preserved to this day. The Twin Gates, so called because of the two arches leading into the courtyard that was once the entrance to the city, were built between the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The Twin Gates today lead to the Archaeological Museum and the Castle. Remains, partially restored, of an octagonal funerary structure - Mausoleum from the 1st - 2nd century have been found opposite the Double Gates.

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PictographMuseum Altitude 51 ft
Photo ofArcheologisch Museum van Istrië

Archeologisch Museum van Istrië

Archaeological Museum of Istria Collecting stone monuments in the Temple of Augustus in 1802, Marshal Marmont began the creation of the museum collection in Pula. However, the discovery of stone, ceramic and metal objects in Nesactium was the basis for the establishment of the Museo Civico (City Museum) in Pula in 1902. After the seat of the "Società istriana di archeologia e storia patria" was moved and with the transfer of the archaeological inventory from Poreč to Pula, the Museo Civico together with the National Collection (stone monuments) and the Regional Museum of Poreč (Museo Provinciale) were integrated into one regional institution. Therefore, the Museum of Istria (Il Regio Museo dell'Istria) was founded in 1925 in the current museum building. In 1930 the museum opened its doors to visitors and a guidebook was published in Italian. This exhibition, with minor changes, remained open to the public until the end of World War II, when many objects were transferred to Italy during the Anglo-American administration. After some changes in the collection of stone monuments and after exhibiting the remaining objects, the museum was reopened in 1949 as the specialized Archaeological Museum of Istria. Through systematic work and great efforts, after some of the archaeological objects were returned from Italy in 1961, the museum building was gradually renovated and the museum pieces were exhibited in a representative didactic-visual concept. The reconstructed collection of stone monuments on the ground floor and the museum galleries were reopened in 1968. In 1973, the prehistoric hall on the 1st floor and the classical, late Roman and medieval exhibitions on the 2nd floor of the museum were opened. The museum halls of the Archaeological Museum of Istria are constantly being expanded; supplemented by new finds from archaeological sites in Istria (prehistoric caves, hill fortresses and necropolises, Roman economic complexes, buildings and cemeteries, as well as sacral structures of the early Christian and Byzantine periods, the barbarian invasion and the settlement of the Slavs in Istria).

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PictographTunnel Altitude 59 ft
Photo ofZerostrasse Ondergrondse tunnelwereld Photo ofZerostrasse Ondergrondse tunnelwereld Photo ofZerostrasse Ondergrondse tunnelwereld

Zerostrasse Ondergrondse tunnelwereld

Below Pula there is an underground tunnel world that extends almost over the whole of Pula, known as Zerostrasse. Pula's underground tunnels were built during the First World War to provide shelter for people in case of air raids. The underground tunnel system consisted of shelters, trenches, galleries and passages, as well as ammunition depots and communications passages. Every hill in the city center was bored and excavated, creating an extensive tunnel network. The tunnels of Monte Zaro, Monte Ghiro and the Castel are the largest. Used as a barracks, observatory, warehouse and prison during Austro-Hungarian rule, the castle hides two tunnel warehouses beneath its slopes. One is located below the fort itself, while the other was at the foot of the hill. It is about 400 meters long and was mainly used to connect to the city center. In the center is the only area, a meeting point of underground tunnels with entrances from four different sides under the castle. The entrances have been carefully planned to ensure a regular air flow, with temperatures ranging between 14 and 18 degrees Celsius all year round. The width of the passage is between 3 and 6 meters, while the height is 2.5 meters. The underground tunnels under the castle alone could accommodate about 6,000 people, while the capacity of all shelters in Pula exceeded 50,000 people, a number almost equal to the population of the city. Such capacity was achieved as a result of the permanent expansion of the tunnel network under Italian rule and the continued construction of air raid shelters during World War II. Part of the tunnel is today used to organize various cultural and social events, from exhibitions to parties.

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PictographMonument Altitude 96 ft
Photo ofPanorama’s vanuit het Fort Photo ofPanorama’s vanuit het Fort Photo ofPanorama’s vanuit het Fort

Panorama’s vanuit het Fort

PictographMonument Altitude 107 ft
Photo ofMonument Photo ofMonument

Monument

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