Cruising Croatia

Pula is a city of 57.000 people, an important regional centre, situated beautifully and strategically at the tip of Istria, the largest peninsula in Croatia. A place like this would be inhabited from most ancient times and would be desirable to any power in Europe. But Pula remains a most Roman city on the eastern side of the Adriatic.

 

After the ancient Greeks left their marks in Polai the Romans conquered it in 177 BC. It became a significant port with around 30.000 inhabitants. The great amphitheatre, the symbol of Pula to this day, was constructed between 27 BC and 68 AD. The Romans left many buildings, supplied it with water, fortified it with a wall with 10 gates, built the Triumphal Arch which can be seen near the Roman Forum. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire several rulers changed before Venice took it over and ruled the city until the end of the 18th century. It became part of Yugoslavia in 1947, and since 1991 a centre of Istria in Croatia.

 

Most important sites are the Roman ones with the Arena being the most popular. It is interesting to visit and it hosts a film festival every summer. There is a lot to see in the old town but the Brijuni islands in the vicinity are a special treat and are highly recommended (although the small marina is very expensive, in mid summer it doubles the price of other marinas)

 

Pula has a Mediterranean climate, but due to the vicinity of the Alps it never gets too hot in the summer nights. The winds in all Istria are usually mild, the sea less demanding than in other more open regions. The port, several marinas and numerous bays offer a lot of choice in finding a berth or an anchorage.