Pula, the largest city in Istria County, Croatia
Pula is the largest city in Istria County, in Croatia. Located at the tip of the Istrian Peninsula, it is an important touristic center with a strong tradition of winemaking, fishing and shipbuilding, with tame sea and unspoiled nature. Settlements around Pula date back to the neolithic period, and hill top fortifications have existed since the Bronze Age. The city has been a colony of the Roman Empire, impressive architectural evidence thereof remaining today. Later, Pula became a major Byzantine port and in the 12th century became part of the Republic of Venice.
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Among the many surviving Roman structures, Pula prides on its magnificent 1st century amphitheatre, or the Arena, a structure comparable to the Colosseum in Rome, the Sergii Triumphal Arch and the Temple of Augustus.
Roman paving stones cover the city's old quarter of narrow streets, lined with picturesque Medieval and Renaissance buildings.
The Byzantine St. Mary Formosa chapel, from the 6th century, with a Greek cross layout, resembles the churches in Ravenna, housing 6th century mosaics on its walls and floors and a Byzantine carved stone panel.
The 13th century Church of St. Francis, with a single nave and 3 apses, was built in Romanesque style with Gothic additions, such as a rose window. It houses a 15th century multiple painted panel . the west portal is decorated with Baroque shell motifs.
The 6th century Cathedral of the assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Romanesque and Byzantine cathedral with a Renaissance rebuilt facade, Gothic aisle windows and floor mosaics. The bell tower was built late 17th century with stones from the amphitheatre.
The Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas was built with a Ravenna style polygonal apse, housing 15th and 16th century icons and an 18th century Greek iconostasis.
The central hill of the old city accommodates the remains of a 2nd century theatre on the northeast slopes and, close by, the Pula castle, a star-shaped fortress with 4 bastions, now housing the historical museum of Istria.
