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Premantura, Centar 127
Tel ++ 385 52 575-632
tel./fax ++ 385 52 575-545
Pješčana Uvala, II ogr.36
Tel ++ 385 52 397-178
tel./fax ++ 385 52 397-179
jemtrade@croatia-istria.com |
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The Arch of Sergii, 29 BC
Hercules Gate,
mid 1st century BC
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Unarguably Pula best known and most outstanding monument, and from where
every sight-seeing tour of the city begins, is the amphitheatre, also known as the ARENA.
However, this massive amphitheatre is important and almost grandiose like Coliseum in
Rome, or Arena in Verona, or amphitheatre in Pompeii. in days of yore the venous for
gladiatorial combat, was built during the rule of Emperor Vespasian (AD 69-79), which
means that it was built at about the same time as its more famous counterpart, the
coliseum in Rome.
It is believed that a smaller amphitheatre existed earlier on the same site, which dated
from the time of Augustus (27 BC-AD 14)
The existing structure is ellipsoidal, with a main axis (N-S) of 130 meters and a shorter
axis (E-W) 100 meters long.
The amphitheatre was built beyond the town boundaries because of its size and because the Pula of the times
(Colonial Julia Pola Pollentia Herculanea) was a small town with a population of some
5,000.
A further reason for its location was that the slope of the adjoining hill was
ideal for a spectator area.
In the centre of the amphitheatre is the arena proper, scene of so many mortal struggles,
surrounded by rising tiers of stone seats for about 20,0000 spectators.
THE
TRIUMPHAL ARCH
Built immediately after the Battle of Actium, in 31 BC, when Octavian defeated
the slayers of Caesar.
They are built in Corinthian style with pronounced Hellenistic and Asia Minor influences.
Statues of three Sergii once formed part of this simple ornamental, flat-topped gateway,
but now only inscriptions to their memory remain. The arch is supported by two fluted
half columns with Corinthian half-capitals.
On the main stone is subscribe..."L(ucius)SERGIUS
L(uci)F(ilius)LIPIDS,AED(ilis)TR(ibunus)MIL(itaris)LEG(ionis)XXXIX".. what
means" Lucy Sergii Lepid, son of Lucy, edil, military tribune 29th legion".
In earlier times the Triumphal Arch was been the city gate (Porta Aurea).
PORTA
HERCULEA
Set between two
round towers, probably of medieval origin, is another gateway to the city which was reached via the upper
circular road that exited through this gate, and whose slope dictated the axis of the gate
in relation to the lie of the walls.
This took place between the years 47 and 44 BC, and it is from that time that Pula can be
said have existed as an urban settlement.
It was one, of first great gate in antique Pula.
THE
TEMPLE OF AUGUSTUS
Was built between 2 BC and 14 AD, when Augustus died.
Its form is a typical temple structure, with a
rectangular sanctuary and a deep vestibule set upon a high podium, formed by six pillars
and a ridge roof which, together with a row of capitals above the pillars, creates a
triangular gable.
Capitals are in the Corinthian style, richly adorned with tendrils of stylised acanthus
leaves.
The building measures are 17,65 meters in the length, 8.05 meters in width and 12 meters in height.
Today, the temple houses a small ex exhibition of Roman sculptures, in bronze and stone.
PORTA GEMINA AND CITY WALLS
Porta Gemina receives its name from the two
arched gateways which lead into a form of inner courtyard and then on, through another
gate, into the town itself.
Built somewhere around the second/third century, the gate comprises semi-columns
surmounted by semi-capitals and a relief moulding.
| In the times of Antiquity the entire town was girdled by walls, on both the coastal and land ward sides, with access to the town via ten gates.
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The Amphitheatre-ARENA,
1st century
The Temple of Augustus,
2nd year B.C.-14TH YEAR AD
The Twin Gate,
2nd century
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