PULA FOR THE EXPLORER

AUTHOR: Raakel Bärlund

For a small city, Pula has many interesting locations which the average tourist might miss while visiting. It may seem that after being to the Arena, strolling the old city passing the historic marketplace and the golden gate, and swimming in crystal clear water, there would be nothing more to see. If one is brave enough to explore outside these main attractions, they would discover many fascinating facts and see the city from a totally different perspective.

If you loved the history of the Pula Amphitheater and you have time and the possibility to venture by bus, bike, or car, you might want to go and see the origin of the Arena’s building blocks. Just outside the core of the city, in Vinkuran, the high cliffs of Cave Romane quarry are covered with marks left back in the 1st century by extracting stone to the numerous monuments still visible in Istria. According to Istrapedia, building material has also been used for infrastructure all around Croatia, for Zagreb University and for a thermal spa in Slovakia. The quarry today makes a great environment for rock climbing and slack lining for example. The location is also used for organizing unique concerts and festivals since it is guaranteed to feel small next to the steep 40m cliffs. To explore the particular place thoroughly, take the path up to the top and you will find a fairly new outdoor altar, Chapel of St. Heart of Jesus with a panoramic view of the typical Istrian nature.

History can be seen clearly also in other places outside the most popular attractions. The city has a surprisingly large number of old forts that have remained nearly untouched throughout the years. Considering the location, Pula has had a major role defending Istria against enemies approaching from the Adriatic Sea and when venturing around, you almost certainly come across the remains of a fort you didn’t know was there. Verudela, the cape famous for its beaches, hides inside Fort Bourguinon, also known as The Verudela Fortress, which has been been preserved from the time that Pula acted as a Naval base for Austria in the 19th century. The fort is accessible from the outside at least when the tourist season hasn’t started, and the surrounding resort complex is out of service. Nowadays forts in Pula seem to function as places for gatherings and this one doesn’t make an exception. Near the fort lies a pyramid formation whose function stays a mystery for me. You can see the tip peeking over the trees from far away if you know where to look. This part of Verudela is a fun location to explore if a break from lying in the sun or watching the dolphins during sunset on the nearby rocks is needed.

Talking little more about perspectives, the first person to have a totally different view on the world was the cosmonaut Jurij Gagarin who was the first person to attend a crewed spaceflight to outer space. His bust can be found in Vidikovac on the Planetary Promenade next to a simple sundial in front of Pula’s Industrial Crafts School. In addition, this hill that separates the city center from touristic beaches, not only has its own laid-back atmosphere in the little cafes with prices much more affordable than the touristic cafes in the center of Pula, but also offers a view far into Istria. Of course, the neighborhood hides yet another old fortress in the middle of urban buildings.

Pula for sure has a lot of secret spots that can be only discovered through wandering around and going where most people won’t go. As the tourist season is approaching, new places are starting to pop up and open also to the areas that seem already familiar. For a student staying only for a semester and who is open to go and discover places without prejudice, the city will definitely not get boring.