Pula, the largest town on the Istrian peninsula, is well-known for its magnificent monuments from the Roman era. In Roman times, Pula was a colony known as Pietas Julia. In 425, the town became an episcopal seat and still features the foundations of some 5th-century religious buildings today. In the course of Pula's three thousand year old history, several landmarks and monuments have emerged. These include:
Triumphal Arch of the Sergi from the 1st century B.C. It was built for three brothers who held important positions in the Roman Empire.
Twin Gates, dating back to the 2nd-3rd centuries, and Hercule's Gate, built in the 1st century B.C., the oldest and best preserved Roman monument in the city.
Temple of Augustus, which stands in the square that was once the site of the Roman forum. A very good example of Roman architecture, the temple dates back to the 1st century.
The most famous monument, however, is the Roman amphitheater, popularly known as the Arena of Pula. The arena is one of the six largest Roman amphitheaters still in existance today. The first two floors have 72 arches and the third has 64 large rectangluar openings. Built in the 1st century AD and enlarged in 79 AD for gladiator fights, the amphitheater could hold 23,000 people. It remained intact until the 15th century. Recently, it has been restored and was adatped for musical events.
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