Pula Town Hall or Pula Communal Palace is situated on the Forum square next to an ancient Roman temple dedicated to Emperor Augustus. It was constructed in 1296 in Romanesque and Renaissance architectural style. During Medieval times Pula Town Hall was a place where municipal government held its meetings under leadership of Pula governor who was assigned by the Venetian Republic. Even today Pula Town Hall kept its function by being the official seat of Pula mayor.
The town hall is located on the northern side of
the square in the old town. This place is already used for public
buildings since the time of Ancient Rome. There were originally
three Roman temples, of which now only the Temple of Augustus
remains. The eastern of the three temples, the temple of Diana, was
used as a rudimentary town hall from the 9th century onwards.
As the city blossomed, there was a need for a new building that
would serve as a town hall. They used the spot of the temple of
Diana to raise the building at the end of the 13th century. The
construction lasted until 1296.
The town hall was originally
built in Gothic style. The building materials were removed from the
remains of the temples and other buildings on the site. Where
possible, even complete walls were used. For example, a wall of the
temple of Diana is still visible on the northern side of the current
town hall.
Since the construction, the building has been
rebuilt several times. In the 15th century, the building was given a
renaissance appearance, and in the 17th century a baroque
appearance. Even in the centuries after it was rebuilt. The latter
was terminated in 1988 and with it the town hall also got its
current appearance.