Page 64 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

62  CRO A TIA AREA B Y AREA

q Pula (Pola)

Pula is well known for its magnificent monuments from
the Roman era, when it was a colony known as Pietas
Julia. It became an episcopal seat in 425 and still has the
foundations of some 5th-century religious buildings. It was
destroyed by the Ostrogoths, but flourished again when
it became the main base for the Byzantine fleet in the 6th
and 7th centuries: the cathedral and chapel of St Mary of
Formosa date from this time. In 1150 it came under Venetian
rule, but by the mid-17th century the population had
declined to 300. It was revitalized in 1856 when Austria
made it the base for its fleet. Today, Pula is a university
town and, with Pazin (see pp66–7), the administrative
centre of Istria.
The Cathedral’s interior, a combination of
styles and periods
R Church of St Francis
Sv. Frane example of Roman architecture,
Uspon B. Lupetine 5. built on simple lines, with six
Open Jun–Sep: 10am–1pm, plain columns and beautiful
4–8pm; Oct–May: for Mass. carved capitals.
Built at the same time as the
adjacent monastery in the late R Cathedral
13th century, this church has a Katedrala
fine doorway with a Gothic rose Trg sv. Tome 2. Open Jun–Sep: 10am–
window. The interior is a single 1pm, 4–8pm; Oct–May: for Mass.
nave with three apses; on the The Cathedral, dedicated to
main altar is a splendid wooden the Blessed Virgin Mary, was
15th-century polyptych of the founded in the 5th century
Emilian school. Various exhibits after Pula became an episcopal
Arch of the Sergians, 1st century BC from the imperial Roman era can seat. Its present appearance
be seen in the monastery cloisters. dates back only as far as the
T Arch of the Sergians 17th century. However, parts
Slavoluk obitelji Sergijevaca T Temple of Augustus of the walls, some of the capitals
Ulica Sergijevaca. Augustov hram and the windows are from the
The arch was erected in the Forum. Tel (052) 218 603. original building. On the right
1st century BC on the orders Open Apr–Jun: 9am–9pm Mon–Fri, is a door way from 1456, while
of Salvia Postuma Sergia, to 9am–3pm Sat & Sun; Jul & Aug: 9am– the bell tower, which was built
honour three brothers who 10pm Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm Sat & Sun; by 1707, contains stone blocks
held important positions in the Sep: 9am–8pm Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm from the amphitheatre.
Roman Empire. The arch is small Sat & Sun; Oct–Mar: by appt. &
with fluted columns, a winged Built in the 1st century AD, this R Church of St Nicholas
Victory and Corinthian capitals. temple stands in the square Sv. Nikola
Its frieze has a bas-relief depicting which was once the site of the Castropola 39. Open for Mass.
a chariot pulled by horses. Roman forum. It is a splendid n (052) 212 987 (tourist office).
Next door is a bar named This church dates from the 6th
Uliks (“Ulysses”), in memory century but was partially rebuilt in
of James Joyce, who lived the 10th century. Towards the end
here for six months in 1904. of the 15th century it was assigned
to the Orthodox community.
R Chapel of St Mary Inside are some fine icons from
of Formosa the 15th and 16th centuries.
Kapela Marije Formoze
Maksimilijanova ulica. + Castle & Historical and
Closed to public. Maritime Museum of Istria
A small Byzantine chapel built Povijesni i pomorski muzej Istre
on a Greek cross plan, this was Gradinski uspon 6. Tel (052) 211 566.
once part of the large Basilica Open Jun–Sep: 8am–9pm daily; Oct–
of St Mary of Formosa. Inside May: 9am–5pm daily. &
are remains of mosaics from Temple of Augustus, a jewel of This star-shaped castle with four
the 6th century. Roman architecture bastions houses the Historical
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp226–8 and pp238–40

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