Roman Amphitheatre of Pula

What it is

The Pula amphitheatre, the Arena, is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world. It was built in the 1st century, when Pula was the Roman colony Pietas Iulia Pola; construction is believed to have begun in the time of Augustus and was paid for with money from the imperial treasury. It lies 200 m north-east of the old city walls, next to the port. Its name comes from the Latin harena, the sand that covered the floor.

What makes it unique is the outer wall: it preserves the whole facade ring, with its arches, and four rectangular towers that no other amphitheatre has. Wooden stairs climbed inside them, and at the top of each there were two tanks filled with rainwater. It is run by the Archaeological Museum of Istria.

What you see

• The outer ring. Its axes measure 132.5 and 105.1 m and it reaches 32.45 m in height. On the ground floor, the larger arches mark the main entrances; the first floor has 72 arcades and the second, 64 square windows.
• The arena floor. Oval, of 67.9 by 41.6 m. Here there were gladiator fights and wild-beast hunts, and public trials were held. It held about 23,000 spectators, seated according to rank.
• The underground rooms. Beneath the arena there is an auxiliary hall cut into the rock, which was used to store machinery and is now part of the visit. The amphitheatre's gallery, with temporary exhibitions, is free to enter.
• The awning holes. On the stone cornice you see the holes through which the wooden masts passed that held up the awning covering the seating in bad weather.

After combats were banned in the early 5th century, the Arena served as a quarry, but it never ceased to be public property. Excavations began in the mid-18th century and restoration continues today. In summer it is a concert venue.

Hours

• April: from 8:00 to 20:00.
• May: from 8:00 to 21:00.
• June to August: from 8:00 to 22:00.
• September: from 8:00 to 21:00.
• October: from 8:00 to 19:00.
• November to March: from 9:00 to 17:00.

The ticket office closes an hour earlier. It may close to visits for performances, and during visiting hours there may be sound checks and stage assembly.

Price

€10 for adults and €5 for children, schoolchildren and students. Under-5s enter free, as does the companion of a person with a disability. Groups of more than 10, a 15% discount. Tickets are bought at the door or on the website. During Pula's Advent, from 29 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, entry to the amphitheatre is free, and an ice-skating rink is set up on the arena floor.

There are free audio guides in several languages: scan the QR codes at the entrance and along the route.

How long

An hour to tour the ring, the arena floor and the underground rooms with the audio guide.

Accessibility

The amphitheatre is partly accessible. The three levels are joined by steep stairs, and the upper one only has ancient stone steps. The arena floor can be reached without steps through entrance C, which faces the south park; the ground combines slabs, a wooden ramp and uneven stretches of stone and gravel.

Getting there

It is in the centre of Pula, on Flavijevska ulica, a few minutes' walk from the port and the old town. If you arrive by plane, see transfers from Pula airport. For lunch, the Pula market is a walk away.