Pula Arena, Roman amphitheatre in Pula, Croatia
The Pula amphitheatre stands in the center of the city and consists of large limestone blocks forming three stories high on the sea side and two stories on the other sides. The lower levels show 72 arches, while the upper level has 64 rectangular openings through which light falls into the passages.
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.
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