Page 67 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia

PULA (POLA)  65

VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Flavijevska ulica. Tel (052) 219
028. Open summer: 8am–9pm
daily (to midnight Jul & Aug);
winter: 9am–5pm daily.
& 7 limited access.

Interior of the Amphitheatre Reconstruction
When first built, the broad tiers could seat an audience of 23,000 The main floor of the arena,
people. Shows of every kind were performed, including naval 67.75 m (222 ft) long and 41.05
battles. Today, during the summer season, operas, ballets and
plays are put on here. m (135 ft) wide, was originally
framed by iron railings to
separate spectators from the
performance. Between the tiers
of seats and the railings there
was a space, 3m (10 ft) wide,
reserved for staff. Along the
main axis, under the arena,
were underground corridors
used by the gladiators and
cages for animals. The animals
were kept here before being
sent into the stadium.

Arches
The first two floors have 72
arches, the third has 64 large
rectangular openings. The
arches lit the internal corridors
which enabled spectators to
move from one sector of the
amphitheatre to another.

KEY
Underground Area 1 The various corridors which led
Many archaeological finds from to the seats allowed spectators to
the amphitheatre and other find their places efficiently.
Roman buildings are kept in the 2 The southwest tower is one of
underground passages, where the entrances.
there were once cages and prisons.

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