Page 66 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

64  CRO A TIA AREA B Y AREA

Pula Amphitheatre
Amfiteatar

The elliptical arena in Pula is one of the six largest
Roman amphitheatres existing today. Originally a small
amphitheatre built here by Claudius, it was enlarged by
Vespasian in AD 79 for gladiator fights. The amphitheatre
could hold 23,000 spectators and had about 20 entrances.
It remained intact until the 15th century when some of the
stone was used to construct the castle and other buildings
in the city. It was restored, first in 1816 by the French
governor of the Illyrian provinces, General Marmont, and
again in 1932 when it was adapted for musical events. It can The amphitheatre
seat 5,000 spectators and is a venue for concerts ranging
from opera to rock, as well as hosting an annual film festival.

Four Towers
The roofs of the towers
were designed to collect
the scented water that
was sprayed onto the stalls.
It is also thought that
there was a structure
capable of supporting
large awnings as protection
from the sun and rain.

Amphitheatre Wall
The well-preserved external wall of the
amphitheatre has three floors on the side facing
the sea, and two on the opposite side, because
it was constructed on an incline. At its highest
point, the external wall measures 29.4 m (96 ft).
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp226–8 and pp238–40

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