Pula, Croatia
I century A.D.

Pula is a town in the south of the Istrian peninsula, inhabited from the prehistory to present times. The town became a colony between 46 – 45 B.C. It became an important Roman harbour, administering a vast surrounding territory. After Octavian’s victory in the battle of Actium, in 31 B.C., the town was destroyed and devastate, but rebuilt in a short time, and called Colonia Pietas Iulia, later in the 2nd century Colonia Pola Pollentia Herculanea. The Romans built the acqueduct and the sewerage system. The town was fortified by walls and gates, some of which are still preserved: the Arch of the Sergii, Hercules’ Gate (where the names of the founders of the town are chiselled) and Porta Gemina. The town of Pula can be proud of its beautiful monuments, like the y the magnificent amphitheatre, the Temple of Augustus, the Small Roman Theatre, and many other. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire the town and the region were devastated by the Ostrogoths. Their rule ended after 60 years, when Pula became part of the Exarchate of Ravenna (540-751). Pula developed during that period and became the main harbour of the Byzantine navy. The cathedral, the church of St. Mary of Formosa and St. Nicholas’ church date from that period.

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