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Pula amphitheatre is the most famous and most recognizable ancient architectural monument of the Old Town of Pula. It was constructed in the first century AD during reign of Vespasian. In the ancient times it could sit up to 23,000 spectators. Today Pula amphitheatre can seat up to 5000 people. Arena was closed around 5th century AD after Christian Roman Emperor Honorius banned all gladiator fights. During Middles Ages parts of the abandoned amphitheater were used by city residents for various needs.
Pula Arena is one of the largest and best preserved amphitheatres in the former Roman Empire. Pula Amphitheatre lost only parts of the stone that lined the exterior. Ancient masonry was used to constructed other structures in the city as this was a common practice in Europe. Pula Amphitheatre is unique in a sense that most of structure is preserved including three level above ground and one more level underground. These hidden rooms and passages were used to keep gladiators and animals. From here they emerged on the arena floor before thousands of citizens of Pula. Today this underground space is used as a museum. All the archaeological finds that were found during the excavation in the Pula amphitheater are stored here. Today Pula amphitheatre is used for film festivals and theatrical performances.
Raised by the sea, the outer walls are made of
regular limestone ashlars. The facade facing the sea has three
floors and a maximum height of around 30 m, while the rest of its
perimeter has only two heights because it takes advantage of the
unevenness of the terrain. The first two levels have 72 arcs of half
a point each, while the last one has 64 arches.
The major
axis of the elliptical amphitheater reaches 132.45 m and the
smallest 105.1 m. The cávea (stands) was able to accommodate
approximately 23,000 spectators in its 40 steps, supported in part
by the slope down to the coast. The arena of the enclosure has
dimensions of 67.95 m by 41.65 m and is separated from the cave by a
wall in which fifteen doors are opened. Under the sand there are a
series of corridors and underground dependencies that were
originally used to shelter the beasts and gladiators that took part
in the shows. Under the stands there are also various dependencies
and warehouses.
Each of the four towers has two cisterns that
were filled with perfumed water, which was used both to supply a
fountain and to spray the spectators. The steps of the amphitheater
could be covered with velarii, large awnings that protected the
attendants from the sun or rain.