A must-see-sight in Pula is the Amphitheatre so we went to see it. The entrance gates had closed for the day so we couldn't go in and explore but its an open structure so we could pretty much see everything from outside the towering walls.
Approaching the Arena. (Amphitheatre)
The Arena was built outside town walls along Via Flavia, the road from Pula to Aquileia and Rome.
The amphitheatre was first built of timber during the reign of Augustus. (2-14 AD) It was later replaced by a small stone amphitheatre during the reign of Emperor Claudius.
In 79 AD the Amphitheatre was enlarged by the Vespasian’s to accommodate gladiator fights. It was completed in 81 AD under Emperor Titus.
In the 5th Century Emperor Honorius prohibited gladiator combat so that activity ceased to take place at the Arena.
Emily, Gabrielle and I off to the side of the Arena.
One of four towers. Each of the four towers has two cisterns that were filled with perfumed water. This water was fed to a fountain or it could be sprinkled on the spectators.
In the 5th Century stones from the Arena started to be plundered by the locals.
The Arena could accommodate 23,000 spectators. There were 40 steps that were divided into two sections and rested on the sloping ground. Iron gates separated the public from the field.
In the 15th Century stones were taken from the Amphitheatre to build other building in Pula. The last time the arena was used as a source of stone was in 1709 to build the foundations of the belfry of the city’s Cathedral.
The amphitheatre was first built of timber during the reign of Augustus. (2-14 AD) It was later replaced by a small stone amphitheatre during the reign of Emperor Claudius.
In 79 AD the Amphitheatre was enlarged by the Vespasian’s to accommodate gladiator fights. It was completed in 81 AD under Emperor Titus.
In the 5th Century Emperor Honorius prohibited gladiator combat so that activity ceased to take place at the Arena. 
Emily, Gabrielle and I off to the side of the Arena.
One of four towers. Each of the four towers has two cisterns that were filled with perfumed water. This water was fed to a fountain or it could be sprinkled on the spectators.
In the 5th Century stones from the Arena started to be plundered by the locals.
The Arena could accommodate 23,000 spectators. There were 40 steps that were divided into two sections and rested on the sloping ground. Iron gates separated the public from the field.
In the 15th Century stones were taken from the Amphitheatre to build other building in Pula. The last time the arena was used as a source of stone was in 1709 to build the foundations of the belfry of the city’s Cathedral.
The first two floors have 72 arches and the top floor has 64 rectangular openings.
The Arena is three stories tall on the side facing the sea. On the opposite side it is only two stories tall because the structure was built on a slope.
There are 15 entrance gates as well as a series of underground passageways.
In the middle ages the interior of the Arena was used for tournaments by the Knights of Malta and Fairs.
Looking down the side of the Arena to the sea.
Looking down the side of the Arena to the sea.
The entire theatre could be covered with velarii (Large sails) to shade the audience from the sun.
In 1583 the Venetian Senate wanted to dismantle the Arena and rebuilt it within Venice. The idea did not go through.
The Amphitheatre in Pula is the 6th largest Roman Arena out of the 200 surviving Roman Amphitheatres. It is the only remaining Roman Amphitheatre to have all four side towers and three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved.
The Arena is the best preserved ancient monument in Croatia.
The outer shell is almost complete while seats are only partially remaining.
The Amphitheatre is truly a very interesting structure. I really enjoyed walking around it, too bad it was closed for the day.
General Marmont, the French governor of the Illyrian Provinces, started restoration of the arena . The restorations were continued in 1816 by the Ticinese architect Pietro Nobile who was commissioned by the emperor Francis I of Austria.
Since undergoing restoration the theatre can now only seat about 5,000 people in comparison to the 23,000 it originally held.
In 1931 the Arena was adapted for theatre productions, military ceremonies and public meetings.
Allie, Me and Paola. (Allie's host sister)
Allie, Me and Paola. (Allie's host sister)
Emily, Allie, Greg, Gabrielle, Me and Kevin.
Nowadays the Amphitheatre is used extensively in the summer for theatre and film productions.
The front of the Arena. (Museum entrance)
Gabrielle.
Me in front of the Arena on a chilly December day.
Gabrielle and I in front of the Amphitheatre.
The Arena is three stories tall on the side facing the sea. On the opposite side it is only two stories tall because the structure was built on a slope.
There are 15 entrance gates as well as a series of underground passageways.
In the middle ages the interior of the Arena was used for tournaments by the Knights of Malta and Fairs.
Looking down the side of the Arena to the sea.
Looking down the side of the Arena to the sea.
The entire theatre could be covered with velarii (Large sails) to shade the audience from the sun.
In 1583 the Venetian Senate wanted to dismantle the Arena and rebuilt it within Venice. The idea did not go through.
The Amphitheatre in Pula is the 6th largest Roman Arena out of the 200 surviving Roman Amphitheatres. It is the only remaining Roman Amphitheatre to have all four side towers and three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved.
The Arena is the best preserved ancient monument in Croatia.
The outer shell is almost complete while seats are only partially remaining.
The Amphitheatre is truly a very interesting structure. I really enjoyed walking around it, too bad it was closed for the day.
General Marmont, the French governor of the Illyrian Provinces, started restoration of the arena . The restorations were continued in 1816 by the Ticinese architect Pietro Nobile who was commissioned by the emperor Francis I of Austria.
Since undergoing restoration the theatre can now only seat about 5,000 people in comparison to the 23,000 it originally held.
In 1931 the Arena was adapted for theatre productions, military ceremonies and public meetings.
Allie, Me and Paola. (Allie's host sister)
Allie, Me and Paola. (Allie's host sister)
Emily, Allie, Greg, Gabrielle, Me and Kevin.
Nowadays the Amphitheatre is used extensively in the summer for theatre and film productions.
The front of the Arena. (Museum entrance)
Gabrielle.
Me in front of the Arena on a chilly December day.
Gabrielle and I in front of the Amphitheatre.
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