Day 13 - Amphitheatres, Many Gates and Multi-coloured Houses

We left Mali Lošinj early this morning, but not as early as we had left Zadar. We were en-route to Pula over some rough seas. Not as rough as two days ago but the waves were crashing over the portholes in our cabin (we are on the lowest deck). I gave up on having a shower as the door kept wanting to open and was hitting me – I had a bruise to prove it!

Once we finished crossing open water and were in the lee of a couple of islands things got a bit calmer and we managed to settle down for some breakfast without having to contend with sliding chairs.

We reached Pula mid-morning. Pula is Istria’s largest city and has a naturally protected harbour. This made it attractive to many invading forces from the Romans to Napoleon! It’s famous for its well-preserved Roman amphitheatre from the 1^st century. This is one of the six largest surviving Roman arenas in the world.

As we’re fitting two days into one, due to the poor weather yesterday, we only had a short time at Pula – enough for a quick guided tour but not much else. We started at the amphitheatre, just 5 mins walk from the yacht’s mooring position. We got to go into the arena which is still in use today, although for concerts rather than gladiatorial battles!

The arena was originally built for a wealthy olive and oil businessman in the area. It was built using the local limestone at the basis of a hill and could hold up to 23,000 spectators. The town only had 5,000 inhabitants! At least they had lots of arm and leg room whilst spectating.

Pula Amphitheatre

The amphitheatre is so well preserved, despite being used as a quarry during the Middle Ages, that you can even see the holes where wooden posts would be positioned for the valaria, large sail-like cloths that would have shaded spectators.

From the amphitheatre we walked to the Twin Gates, one of the ten city gates of Pula when Pula was surrounded by walls. The next landmark was the Gate of Hercules before we walked through a pedestrian area to the Triumphal Arch of the Sergii. This arch was erected in 27BC in honour of Lucius Sergius Lepidus, one of the winners of the Battle of Actium, one of the greatest naval engagements in ancient history. It is festooned with carvings of cupids and garlands.

Pula's Roman Gates

This was the end of our short tour and it was a fast walk back to the yacht. I’m glad that we got to see Pula, it was one of the places I specifically wanted to visit. I wouldn’t mind coming back for a second visit.

Approaching Rovinj

Our last stop of our cruise was Rovinj, known as a picturesque port town with multicoloured houses on the shore side. We arrived mid-afternoon and set off for our last guided walking tour. This started at Marsala Tita Square, named in honour of the former Yugoslavian dictator, before entering the old town through Balbi’s Arch. This was constructed in the 17^th century and stands on the exact location where the main entrance to the fortified city once stood.

Rovinj

We then climbed up the cobbled Grisia Street to the Church of St. Euphemia which stands at the peak of the peninsula. The Church of St. Euphemia is a Baroque church dating from the 18^th century although its Venetian-baroque façade was added in 1883. This is where our tour ended.

After visiting inside the church Mum and I walked down through the town, using a different route to the one on the way up.

Tonight we had our farewell dinner.