Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Archaeological Museum of Istria (Arheološki Muzej Istre) in the Church of the
Holy Cross (Sv. Srca)
Pula's century-old archaeological museum (at Carrarina 3) is closed for renovation for sev-
eral years. When open, it shows off some of what you've seen in the streets, plus lots
more—stone monuments, classical statues, ancient pottery...you name it. While it's closed,
temporary exhibits drawing from the collection's highlights are displayed a few blocks
away,insidetheChurchoftheHolyCross.Beautifullyrestoredandrepurposedasamodern
exhibition space, and with good English descriptions, it's arguably a more satisfying home
for the collection. Historians will want to check out the latest exhibits.
Cost and Hours:
20 kn—but can change depending on exhibits, daily 9:00-23:00, until
21:00 off-season,
www.ami-pula.hr
.
Roman Theater (Rimsko Kazalište)
The remains of an ancient theater are free to visit, on the hill behind the (currently closed)
Archaeological Museum. Part of the stage is still intact, along with the semicircle of stone
seats(someofwhicharestillengravedwiththenamesofthewealthytheatergoerswhoonce
sat in them). To find it, go up the hill around the right side of the museum. This was the
smaller of the two theaters in Roman Pula; the second was south of the center (and is no
longer intact).
Fort Kaštel
For a bird's-eye view over the town, head up to its centerpiece fortress. This deserted-
feeling place, hosting the Historical Museum of Istria, is worth visiting only for the chance
towandertheramparts.Whileneitherthemuseumnorthefortressisworththehikeuphere,
it's a good way to kill some extra time in Pula and sample the views over the town and am-
phitheater (various trails lead up from the streets below).
Thebestlunchoptionsareinandnearthetown's
market hall
(whichisalsowheremyself-
guided walk ends). The top floor of the market is a food circus with a number of cheap and
tempting eateries with both indoor and terrace seating. Back outside, around the right side
of the market hall, you'll find a pair of fiercely competitive bakeries serving fresh batches
of cheap and delicious
burek
,
the savory phyllo-dough pastry. One no-name bakery is built
into the market hall itself, and Pekarna Corona faces it from across the market square.
