There’s a reason Edward Gibbon’s The Rise and the Fall of the Roman Empire is the size of a telephone book. The Roman Empire stretched for 2,750,000 square kilometers in its’ height. To put that in perspective, the Roman Empire covered an area of what is today 53 countries, from Russia in Europe to Morocco in North Africa and Jordan in the Middle East. The Roman Empire was a nation of warriors, and Romans considered the savage fights they held in their amphitheaters not only entertainment, but training. These amphitheaters were located in every corner of the Roman Empire and more than 230 have been found, including the most famous Colosseum in Rome to the sixth largest surviving one known as Pula Arena in Croatia.
The Pula Arena was built between 27 BC – 68 AD under the reign of Emperor Vespasian and today is the best preserved ancient monument in Croatia. Perhaps Vespasian wanted to outdo himself, because construction on the Colosseum in Rome began just two years later in 70AD. Pula Arena was estimated to hold around 20,000 spectators whereas the Colosseum held between 50,000 and 80,000. There were 15 gates and it also had velarii (large sails) that protected spectators from sun, or more likely rain, since it rains a lot in Europe. Like the Colosseum, it was primarily used for gladiator fights, and in the Middle Ages knights tournaments and fairs took place in it.
There may have been a lot of similarities, except on a smaller scale, to the Colosseum, but we found one distinct difference. There were no hours-long queues for visitors that didn’t book a tour in advance and, in fact, we essentially had Pula Arena to ourselves but for a few others that wandered in here and there. There were no ropes confining us to only certain areas; we wandered freely about the Arena.
Movie under the stars?
Today, Pula Arena is used for many concerts. Elton John and Alanis Morissette have even performed there! The Pula Film Festival takes place each July (as you see the Arena set up for in the picture above) showcasing both Croatian and international films. And just last September, two professional ice hockey games were even played in the Arena.
The Archaeological Museum of Istria also houses an exhibition on wine and olive oil production from Istria in the underground section of the Arena.
Know Before You Go
Ellen Christian says
I would love to travel internationally some day. For now, I stay in the states. Really enjoying your photography.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks, Ellen! There is a lot to see in the US. We kind of kick ourselves we didn’t travel more when we lived there. Being based in Italy, it is just so easy to get around most of Europe, even on a kick weekend getaway.
Valen says
Very cool! Croatia is definitely on my list of places to visit.
Kay says
The Pula arena reminded me about the effect of Romans on European cultures… A beautiful place. Hopefully, it will bring more tourists to Croatia.
Movie under the stars would be nice 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I think now that Croatia has joined the EU and more is being written about it, that tourists are about to descend on Croatia. Though Pula is a little more off-the-beaten path.
Ali says
I’d really like to see more of Croatia, this looks like an interesting place. I love Roman ruins.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Pula is lovely! There is a Roman Forum also in the center (the Arena is located outside the center) and in summer, the nearby beaches are nice to cool off with a dip in the sea.
Did you only visit Dubrovnik when you went to Croatia on your RTW?
Kenin Bassart says
Pretty Cool! I had no idea this even existed. I think it’s neat that it’s still actively used in some capacity.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Pula is a little more off-the-beaten-path when it comes to travel in Croatia. As evidenced by the fact that we basically had the Arena to ourselves in the middle of summer.
Anna says
Very cool! Crazy to picture the Roman Empire was SO huge!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Isn’t it sort of mind blowing? The Romans were really very advanced to be able to build the structures they did and travel as far as they did to expand the empire.
noel says
Wow, I hope I can get to this location when I visit Croatia this October, it’s so Isolated to the rest of the country, but I’m sure worth the visit, thanks for sharing.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I think the Istrian peninsula is the most overlooked part of Croatia. Most of course want to head to Dubrovnik and the islands like Hvar. But Istria is beautiful too.
Melissa Banigan says
You've added a location to my "must visit" list! (Bonus- how great to avoid long lines!)
Melissa says
You’ve added a location to my “must visit” list! Bonus- how great to avoid long lines!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Definitely no long lines to be found here!
Arianwen says
Lovely pictures! I would have loved to have been around in Roman times to see a Colosseum in full use! 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It’d certainly be interesting, though I don’t know that I’d want to see so many animals killed just for entertainment. But the structures themselves amaze me.
Freya Renders says
I didn’t expect that Croatia would also have an arena like Italy. It looks beautiful; good thing they still managed to maintain it.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It’s surprising to realize just how far the Roman Empire stretched when you come across arenas and ruins like this!
Heather says
I love the idea of medieval knights jousting inside ancient Roman ruins! We came across an amphitheater like that in Delphi, Greece, that was set up for movies and concerts. I’d love to attend one!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Oh, how fun! I think a movie would be much more comfortable than an opera. We did the opera at the Verona Arena and my ass and back never hurt so much as after that 6 hour extravaganza! I honestly don’t know how people sat through the gladiator games.
YJ says
I never knew about this! It’s so cool to that the Roman Empire stretched its influence so far and wide. Love the photos.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks YJ! Isn’t is crazy to visualize just how large the empire was?!
Mandy says
What a brilliant post! You obviously did a lot of research into it too! This arena looks amazing and I love your photos. We went to the Arena in Verona which was more intact (and still in use) but somehow less charming than this one. I wonder what the entrance fee will be now that Croatia is in the Eurozone?
Daniel Bacic says
Istria is actually the most visited part of croatia and has been fir quite some time due to it closer proximity to western Europe