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I f you are wondering what actor Boris Komnenić, writer James Joyce and box- er Mate Parlov have in common, the an- swer is provided in a name with four let- ters – Pula. All three of them spent time living in this magical ancient Istrian city. And that’s just a small part of the secrets hidden by this pearl of Istria. The rst association with Pula is its am- phitheatre, which was built during the same period as Rome’s own Colosseum. Once able to accommodate up to 20,000 spectators, it was of course built to host gladiator battles. The arena can today hold only a quarter as many spectators, but it is still at the centre of events, though now those events are cul- tural, so during August you can not only en- joy the city’s famous lm festival there, but also watch performances of Rade Šerbedži- ja’s Ulysses Theatre, attend a performance of the opera Carmen or experience concerts of Vlatko Stefanovski or Đorđe Balašević. Of course, you can also attend gladiator battles, which represent unmissable performances. And from the Arena, in the evenings, don’t miss the view of the Lighting Giants, the visual light installation by world-famous lighting designer Dean Skira. He lit up the cranes of Pula’s Uljanik Shipyard, giving you
islands are located just six kilometres from the city, separated from Pula by the Fažana Strait. This archipelago boasts very lush veg- etation, a perfect climate and crystal clear waters. Boat tours are organised daily, en- suring you can very easily access Croatia’s most beautiful beaches. You can also voyage by boat from Pula to visit the Kvarner Islands, Lošinj, Cres, Susak and other islands, or to skip across the Adri- atic to Venice. And if you nd yourself tired of the sea, you have at your disposal 100 kilometres of walking trails, the longest of which, covering a distance of 30 kilometres, is to be found in the Imperial Forest. Situated in the shade, clear- ly marked and often immediately beside the sea, this route is a favourite among all lovers of walking. And while you’re already in Pu- la, it would be a real shame not to explore the surrounding area, where you are await- ed by small, preserved medieval towns with the best culinary oers on the coast. The ol- ive oil and wine of Istria have particularly in- toxicating avours. Immediately beside the Arena is the Aquarium, which is also a must. And you know that you really should visit Pula, because even a book wouldn’t be enough to describe it.
the chance to enjoy these modern sculptures that change constantly, with 16,000 combi- nations of dierent colours in which they can be illuminated. If you are actually more into antiquity, you should know that Pula is the world’s larg- est site for the discovering of amphora jugs, which you can check out at the museum right next to the Arena. There is also a Roman the- atre, the Temple of Augustus, the Arch of the Sergii - the“Golden Gate”triumphal arch that was built between 29 and 27 BC. There are also many museums dedicat- ed to Roman excavations, seafaring, wine etc., while there’s also an excellent museum of con- temporary art, numerous galleries, and the MEMO museum, dedicated to everyday life and fond memories. There you can see how people lived from the 1950s to the‘80s, with a story that guides you through the life of a ctitious family of four. Everything is there – lm, music, food, fashion, children’s games and life in an apartment... So, you simply can’t get bored in Pula. This magical little city is surrounded by 15 perfect beaches, and they generally all have scented natural shade. And they are all dierent – pebbles, large stones or rocky out- crops. If this isn’t enough for you, the Brijuni
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