Ancient City Colonia Pietas Iulia Pola-Arena

Construction of this imposing amphitheater began between 2 BC and 14 AD under Emperor Augustus. Later, between 69 and 79 AD, Emperor Vespasian, known for commissioning the Colosseum in Rome, ordered an expansion of the oval to its current dimensions of 132 by 105 meters. The structure originally featured two superimposed arcaded rows with 72 arches made of white limestone, with the upper story having 64 rectangular window niches. On the sea side, the amphitheater reached a height of 32.45 meters. As it leans against a hill to the east, the facade there is lower, and some arches of the lower row were adapted to the terrain or omitted. Inside, the seating rows followed the natural slope. In antiquity, the arena served as a venue for gladiatorial combats and occasionally even for staged naval battles, known as naumachiae.

The Amphitheater is located in Pula, a city in the Istrian County, part of the Jadranska Hrvatska (Adriatic Croatia) region in Croatia. It stands at an elevation of approximately 12 meters above sea level.

Today, the remains of the Roman theater are accessible to visitors and can be explored. A museum in the basement of the theater is dedicated to the history of viticulture in Roman times, the styles and uses of amphorae, and the ancient trade relations of Istria.

• Ancient City Colonia Pietas Iulia Pola-Porta Gemina (Ancient Buildings), approx. 0.3 km away
• Ancient City Colonia Pietas Iulia Pola (Ancient Buildings), approx. 0.3 km away
• Ancient City Colonia Pietas Iulia Pola-Herculestor (Ancient Buildings), approx. 0.4 km away
• Ancient City Colonia Pietas Iulia Pola-Theater (Ancient Buildings), approx. 0.4 km away