Amphitheater (Pula)
A small town in Croatia, Pula is characterized by coziness and hospitality. It is here that the famous Roman amphitheater, built back in the first century AD, is located. It is the only amphitheater in the world with four towers and three architectural orders. It is the sixth largest in the world (14000m2) and has a seating capacity of 23000 visitors.
The height of the outer limestone walls of the arena is about thirty meters. The arena was fenced off from the visitors because it was used for gladiatorial fights and the trampling of wild animals. The arena was connected to the cages by the underground tunnels, situated under it. For the comfort of visitors in hot and rainy days over the amphitheater set the sail.
In the fifth century, after the Emperor Honorius forbade gladiatorial fights arena no longer interested power holders and came into disrepair. In the Middle Ages it was used for grazing cattle, holding fairs and tournaments of knights. In the 16th century, the Venetian Senate wanted to move the building to their town, but this proposal was not supported.
In the nineteenth century, the architect Pietro Nobile began to reconstruct this grandiose structure under the patronage of the Austrian Emperor Franz I. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the amphitheatre has hosted theatrical performances, musical concerts, military ceremonies, parades and various public events. In summer time every week you can become a spectator of the historical performance, which includes gladiatorial fights and tells about the intricacies of the Roman way of life. However, the number of seats for spectators has decreased many times (5000 people). From the grandstands and the upper tier you can admire the beautiful surroundings and the turquoise smooth surface of the sea.
The Pula Amphitheater can be seen on the 10 kuna banknote issued in 1993, 1995, 2001 and 2004.
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