Location: Carrarina ulica 5
Twin Gate or Double Gate is one of the ten gates that led to the ancient town of Pula. Twin Gate was constructed either in the late 2nd or early 3rd century AD. It is simple in architecture with arches and minimal decorations. Today Twin Gate leads to the inner garden, the castle and the archaeological museum of Pula. During archaeological digs scientists discovered a splendid octagonal mausoleum that dated back to the 2nd or 3rd century.
The Twin Gate's story begins in the late 2nd century AD, during the
height of the Roman Empire under emperors like Marcus Aurelius and
Commodus, though some sources pinpoint its construction to the early 3rd
century. It was erected atop the foundations of an even older
Republican-era gate, reflecting iterative urban development in Pola—a
city founded as a colony by Augustus in 59 BC and fortified with walls
around 100 BC to protect against Illyrian tribes and other threats. The
gate's primary purpose was defensive and ceremonial: it controlled
access to the northern quarter of the city, facilitating the flow of
goods, soldiers, and civilians while symbolizing Roman authority.
Notably, it provided direct entry to the nearby ancient Roman theater
(Amphitheatrum Minor), a smaller venue for plays and public gatherings,
underscoring its role in daily civic life.
As Pula evolved through
the centuries, the gate's fortunes shifted dramatically. By the Middle
Ages, around the 13th century, it was deliberately buried underground as
part of enhanced fortifications against invasions, a common practice to
bolster ramparts by layering earth over structures. This entombment
preserved it from decay but rendered it invisible for nearly two
millennia. Excavation began in the early 19th century during Austrian
Habsburg rule, when Pula was emerging as a key naval base. The upper
arches were uncovered around 1810–1820, and full restoration efforts in
the 1830s brought it back to prominence. A pivotal discovery in 1831 was
a white marble inscription plate nearby, detailing the benefactions of
Lucius Menacius Priscus (or Menasius Priscus), a local senator and town
councilor who self-funded a major aqueduct extension in the 2nd century
AD. This plate, unrelated to the gate's original construction, was
mounted on its central upper section in 1857 by archaeologist Pietro
Kandler, adding a layer of epigraphic intrigue. The gate's unearthing
coincided with Pula's broader archaeological renaissance, which revealed
nearby remnants like an octagonal mausoleum from the 2nd–3rd century AD,
partially reconstructed in front of the gate today.
Through the 20th
century, including Italian, Yugoslav, and finally Croatian stewardship
since 1991, the Twin Gate has symbolized Pula's layered identity—Roman
roots intertwined with Mediterranean resilience. It escaped major damage
during World War II bombings that scarred other parts of the city,
thanks to its central yet somewhat sheltered position.
At first glance, the Twin Gate exudes a balanced simplicity that
belies its engineering sophistication, embodying the pragmatic elegance
of late Roman architecture. The structure measures approximately 8
meters in width and 6 meters in height (though exact dimensions vary
slightly in sources due to partial reconstructions), crafted primarily
from local Istrian stone—a durable limestone quarried nearby, prized for
its resistance to weathering and fine carving potential. Originally, it
may have featured three arches, but only the two central semi-circular
ones remain, flanked by a blind (sealed) archway on the outer sides,
creating a symmetrical tripartite facade.
The design centers on two
robust, equal-sized arches, each about 3 meters wide, supported by three
engaged pilasters (half-columns embedded in the wall). These pilasters
rise to composite capitals—intricate Corinthian-style tops blending
acanthus leaves, volutes, and floral motifs—crowning the structure with
a sense of upward thrust. Above the arches spans an entablature: a plain
architrave (now missing in parts), a frieze adorned with subtle
moldings, and a projecting cornice that shelters the facade from rain.
Uniting the arches is a prominent relief wreath (corona), a carved
garland of laurel or olive leaves that loops gracefully overhead,
evoking themes of victory and eternity central to Roman iconography.
This decorative element ties the composition into a cohesive, harmonious
unit, preventing the gate from appearing starkly utilitarian.
Practical features reveal its defensive intent: narrow vertical slots
(traces still visible) above each arch once held wooden lattices or
portcullises, which could be lowered via ropes to seal the passages
during sieges. The gate's rear (inner city) side is plainer, with fewer
decorations, emphasizing its role as a threshold rather than a
standalone monument. Subtle damage—cracks and erosion from its burial
and unearthing—adds patina, while restorations have used compatible
stone to maintain authenticity. Compared to flashier Roman gates like
those in Split or Zadar, the Twin Gate's restraint highlights the
functionalism of provincial architecture, yet its proportions and
detailing rival imperial standards.
In Roman Pola, the Twin Gate was more than a barrier; it was a
liminal space marking the transition from profane outskirts to
sacred urban core, aligning with the city's grid plan influenced by
Vitruvian principles. Its proximity to the capitolium—site of
temples and administrative buildings—made it a ceremonial entry for
processions, perhaps during festivals honoring Jupiter or local
deities. Archaeologically, it anchors Pula's status as one of
Europe's best-preserved Roman ensembles, alongside the iconic Arena
(amphitheater) just 500 meters away. The gate's inscription ties it
to euergetism—the Roman elite's tradition of public
benefaction—humanizing the empire's machinery through figures like
Priscus, whose aqueduct ensured water for 5,000–10,000 residents.
Today, its significance endures as a cultural touchstone. It frames
views of Pula's skyline, from the Venetian-era Castle (now housing
the Historical and Maritime Museum) to the verdant Giardini park
with its towering cedars. The adjacent small Roman theater hosts
summer performances, reviving its ancient function. For scholars, it
offers insights into urban fortification evolution; for locals, it's
a symbol of Istrian pride amid tourism booms. The gate's survival
narrative—buried, forgotten, reborn—mirrors Pula's own resilience
through Ottoman threats, Venetian rule, and 20th-century upheavals.
Well-preserved and free to access 24/7, the Twin Gate integrates
seamlessly into Pula's pedestrian-friendly core at Carrarina ul. 8, near
the Archaeological Museum of Istria. No tickets are needed; simply
stroll through its arches for an immersive moment—allow 20–30 minutes
for the site itself, or 1–2 hours to wander nearby alleys lined with
cafes and boutiques. Spring (April–June) or autumn (September–October)
visits avoid summer crowds, when the area buzzes with festivals like the
Pula Film Festival spillover events. Parking is available in nearby lots
(check visitpula.hr for options), and the gate is a 10-minute walk from
the main bus station or Arena.
Photographers love its photogenic
arches against sunset skies, while history buffs can join guided tours
via the Pula Tourist Office. Subtle modern touches, like embedded
lighting for evening illumination, enhance visibility without detracting
from antiquity. Ongoing conservation ensures its longevity, with no
major threats reported as of 2025. In essence, passing through the Twin
Gate isn't just sightseeing—it's time travel, a quiet nod to an empire
that shaped the stones beneath our feet.