Pula Arena, Roman amphitheatre in Pula, Croatia

The Pula Arena is a Roman amphitheatre built of local limestone, standing about 200 metres outside the former city walls along the Via Flavia. Its outer wall rises 32.45 metres on the sea side, with two arcaded storeys of 72 arches and an upper level of 64 rectangular openings; on the hill side it is lower, with 32 arches partly or wholly omitted. Inside, tiered seating descends to an arena floor measuring 67.9 by 41.6 metres, beneath which lie underground chambers.

Construction began under Emperor Augustus in 27 BC initially as a timber structure and was converted into stone under Emperor Claudius. The building received its final form under Emperor Vespasian in 79 AD, who also commissioned the Colosseum in Rome.

The name Arena comes from the Latin word for sand, which once covered the fighting ground to absorb the blood of gladiators. Today the tiers fill with audiences during summer months who come here for opera performances, rock concerts and open-air film screenings.

The site is accessible year-round and allows visitors to walk through the passages and climb the tiers to enjoy views of the city and sea. Those coming for events should arrive early as concerts and performances draw large crowds and the pathways fill up quickly.

In 1583 the Venetian Senate planned to dismantle the entire structure and transport it to Venice, but local opposition prevented this plan. Below the seating rows are chambers that now display exhibitions about regional wine production and olive oil extraction.