Pula (Italian Pola) is the largest city in Istria, Croatia, at the southern tip of that peninsula, population 58,594 (2001).
Like the rest of the region, it is known for its mild climate, tame sea and unspoiled nature. The city has a long tradition of wine making, fishing, shipbuilding, and tourism. Pula has also been Istria’s administrative center since ancient Roman days.
Sights
The city is best known for its many surviving ancient Roman buildings, the most famous of which is its first century amphitheatre, sixth largest in the world, locally called Arena. Arena is one of the best preserved amphitheaters from antiquity and is still in use today during summer film festivals. Two other notable and well preserved ancient Roman structures are the first century triumphal arch, the Arch of Sergius, and temple to Apollo built in the 1st century AD Roman emperor Caesar Augustus. You can still walk through the city’s old quarter of narrow streets, lined with Medieval and Renaissance buildings, on ancient Roman paving stones.
Related Travel Information
Opatija (Italian Abbazia) is a city in western Croatia, just southwest of Rijeka on the Adriatic coast, population 7,850 (2001), total municipality population 12,719 (2001).
Opatija is situated in the Gulf of Kvarner (Quarnero or Carnaro) in a sheltered position at the foot of U?ka mountain (Monte Maggiore), with Vojak peak at 1401 m. Opatija is located 90 km of Trieste by rail and 40 km of Pula by road. The city is geographically on the Istrian peninsula, though it is not in the Istria county, but the Primorje-Gorski Kotar county.
It is popular summer and winter resort, with average temperatures of
Rovinj (Italian: Rovigno) is a city in Istria, Croatia, population 14,234 (2001). It is located on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula and is a popular tourist resort.
Vodice is a town in the Šibenik-Knin county, Croatia. It borders the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 9,407 (2001).
Vodice is a popular tourist destination, with most of the population oriented towards providing accommodation for visitors in the city's hotels, motels, and pensions.
Velika Gorica is a town in Zagreb county, Croatia, population 63,517 (2001). It is located to the south of Zagreb, near the Zagreb Pleso international airport. It forms part of the Zagreb metropolitan area.
Samobor is a city in Zagreb county, Croatia, population 36,206 (2001). It is located to the west of Zagreb under the Žumberak hill (also known as the Samobor hill). It is part of the Zagreb metropolitan area.
Samobor has existed since 1242 according to a document of endowment by king Bela IV. It is one of the first tourist resorts in the region, with first tourist facilities dating back to 1810 oriented towards anglers, hunters and hikers.
