The Pula Arena

The Pula Arena is one of the six largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, a mighty oval of pale stone raised in the first century on the Istrian coast, where gladiators once fought before some twenty thousand spectators. Remarkably complete, with its outer walls and towers still standing to their full height, it hosts concerts, film festivals and events beneath the summer sky two thousand years on.

What you actually see

• The complete outer walls - the towering stone arena standing to full height.
• The arena floor - the space where gladiators once fought.
• The underground galleries - the passages with an exhibition of Roman life.
• The summer events - the concerts and film festival held in the arena.

When to go

Late spring to early autumn for the best weather and to catch a concert or the summer film festival beneath the stars. The arena is open year-round, but the events and warm evenings are the highlight.

Honest expectations

It is a single monument, seen in an hour or two, though its completeness is remarkable. Attending a summer concert or film screening inside is the most memorable way to experience it. The rest of Pula is a workaday port with scattered Roman remains.

Nearby

Rovinj and the Istrian hill towns are close; the truffle and wine country lies inland.