Editing Pula Arena

{{Short description|Roman amphitheatre in Pula, Croatia}}
{{Infobox ancient site
  |name = Pula Arena
  |native_name = 
  |image = Croatia Pula Amphitheatre 2014-10-11 11-04-27.jpg
  |image_size = 250px
  |alt = 
  |caption = The arena at [[Pula]], [[Croatia]], retains its complete circuit of walls.
  |map_type = Croatia
  |map_alt = 
  |map_size = 
  |location = [[Pula]], Croatia
  |region = 
  |coordinates = {{Coord|44.873|N|13.850|E|display=title,inline|source:dewiki}}
  |type = [[Roman amphitheatre]]
  |part_of = 
  |length = 
  |width = 
  |area = 
  |height = 
  |builder = 
  |material = 
  |built = 27 BC – AD 68 
  |abandoned = 
  |epochs = [[Roman Empire]]
  |cultures = 
  |dependency_of = 
  |occupants = 
  |event = 
  |excavations = 
  |archaeologists = 
  |condition = 
  |ownership = 
  |public_access = 
  |website = 
  |notes = 
|embedded={{Infobox historic site
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Croatia Cultural
| designation1_offname =
| designation1_number = Z-863
| designation1_type = Protected cultural good of national significance<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arena (Amfiteatar) |url=https://registar.kulturnadobra.hr/#/details/Z-863 |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Registar Kulturnih Dobara}}</ref>
}}}}
The '''Pula Arena''' ({{langx|hr|Pulska Arena}}; {{langx|it|Arena di Pola}}) is a [[Roman amphitheatre]] located in [[Pula]], [[Croatia]]. It is the only remaining [[Roman Empire|Roman]] amphitheatre to have four side towers entirely preserved. It was constructed between 27 BC and AD 68,<ref name="ReferenceA">[[#Kristina69|Kristina Džin]]: 2009, Page 7</ref> and is among the world's six largest surviving Roman arenas.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The arena is also the country's best-preserved [[Historic preservation|ancient monument]].

The amphitheatre was depicted on the reverse of the Croatian 10 [[Croatian kuna|kuna]] banknote, issued in 1993, 1995, 2001 and 2004.<ref>[http://www.hnb.hr Croatian National Bank]. [http://www.hnb.hr/novcan/enovcan.htm?tsfsg=5caabbb4dca58151e125c650d3cdae36 Features of Kuna Banknotes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506012028/http://www.hnb.hr/novcan/enovcan.htm?tsfsg=5caabbb4dca58151e125c650d3cdae36 |date=2009-05-06 }}: [http://www.hnb.hr/novcan/novcanice/e10nk.htm?tsfsg=133d2a4d3beae36004bc09ad47fadf73 10 kuna] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604013858/http://www.hnb.hr/novcan/novcanice/e10nk.htm?tsfsg=133d2a4d3beae36004bc09ad47fadf73 |date=2011-06-04 }} (1993 issue), [http://www.hnb.hr/novcan/novcanice/e10sk.htm?tsfsg=8b605b46251d0fe50fd5fed87d794611 10 kuna] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604013904/http://www.hnb.hr/novcan/novcanice/e10sk.htm?tsfsg=8b605b46251d0fe50fd5fed87d794611 |date=2011-06-04 }} (1995 issue), [http://www.hnb.hr/novcan/novcanice/e-10-3edition.htm?tsfsg=517af3a9ffaec71f4dc765831d499dac 10 kuna] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604013920/http://www.hnb.hr/novcan/novcanice/e-10-3edition.htm?tsfsg=517af3a9ffaec71f4dc765831d499dac |date=2011-06-04 }} (2001 issue) & [http://www.hnb.hr/novcan/novcanice/e10-obljetnica.htm?tsfsg=3a98d0838e017c35b5cbea65a95db49a 10 kuna] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604013950/http://www.hnb.hr/novcan/novcanice/e10-obljetnica.htm?tsfsg=3a98d0838e017c35b5cbea65a95db49a |date=2011-06-04 }} (2004 issue). – Retrieved on 30 March 2009.</ref>

== History ==

The Arena was built between 27 BC and 68 AD,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> as the city of [[Pula]] became a regional centre of Roman rule, called ''[[Pietas Julia]]''. The building is named after the sand (Latin ''harena'') that once covered the inner performance area. It was built outside the town walls along the ''[[Via Flavia]]'', the road from Pula to [[Aquileia]] and [[Rome]].<ref name=Istrapedia>{{cite web |url=https://www.istrapedia.hr/hr/natuknice/100/arena-u-puli |title=Arena u Puli |publisher=Istrapedia |language=Croatian|access-date=11 February 2021 }}</ref>

The amphitheatre was first built in timber during the reign of [[Augustus]] (2–14 AD). It was replaced by a small stone amphitheatre during the reign of Emperor [[Claudius]]. In 79 AD it was enlarged to accommodate gladiator fights by [[Vespasian]] and to be completed in 81 AD under Emperor [[Titus]].  This was confirmed by the discovery of a Vespasian coin in the malting.<ref name=Istrapedia/>

In legend, {{ill|Germanus of Pula|lt=Saint Germanus|hr|Sveti German}}, of whom little is known, was tortured in the Amphitheatre in or around 290, and subsequently [[martyr]]ed outside the city, on the road to [[Nesactium]]. The amphitheatre remained in use until the 5th century, when Emperor [[Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]] prohibited [[gladiator]]ial combats. It was not until 681 that combat between convicts, particularly those [[Capital punishment|sentenced to death]], and [[Wildlife|wild animals]] was forbidden. In the 5th century the amphitheatre began to see its stone plundered by the local populace. By the 13th century, the [[Patriarchate of Aquileia|patriarch of Aquileia]] forbade further removal from the arena.<ref name=Istrapedia/>

== Construction ==
[[File:Arena pula inside.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Restored arched walls at Pula]]
The exterior wall is constructed in [[limestone]]. The part facing the sea consists of three stories, while the other part has only two stories since the amphitheatre was built on a slope. The maximum height of the exterior wall is {{convert|29.40|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The first two floors have each 72 arches, while the top floor consists of 64 rectangular openings.<ref name=Istra>{{cite web |url=http://www.istra.net/hr/atrakcije/arena-u-puli |title=Arena u Puli |publisher=Istra.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306134831/http://www.istra.net/hr/atrakcije/arena-u-puli |language=Bosnian |access-date=11 February 2021 |archive-date=2016-03-06 }}</ref>

The axes of the elliptical amphitheatre are {{convert|132.45|and|105.10|m|ft|abbr=on}} long, and the walls stand {{convert|32.45|m|ft|abbr=on}} high. It could accommodate 23,000 spectators in the [[cavea]], which had forty steps divided into two ''meniani''. The seats rest directly on the sloping ground; The field for the games, the proper ''arena'', measured {{convert|67.95|by|41.65|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The field was separated from the public by iron gates.<ref name=Istra/><ref name=Marusic/>

[[File:Anfiteatro de Pula, Croacia, 2017-04-17, DD 13-18 HDR PAN.jpg|thumb|Exterior during the [[blue hour]]]]
The arena had a total of 15 gates. A series of underground passageways were built underneath the arena along the main axis from which animals, [[ludi]] scenes and fighters could be released; stores and shops were located under the raked seating. The amphitheatre was part of the circuit of the [[gladiator]]s.<ref name=Marusic>{{cite book|author=Marušić, Branko |title=Pula and Its Surroundings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e54MAAAAIAAJ |year=1979 |pages=55–56 |publisher=Turistkomerc}}</ref>

Each of the four towers had two [[cistern]]s filled with perfumed water that fed a fountain or could be sprinkled on the spectators. The amphitheatre could be covered with ''[[Velarium|velaria]]'' (large sails), protecting the spectators from sun or rain (as attested by rare construction elements). Below the arena was a system of canals which collected rainwater and effluent and drained into the sea.<ref name=Marusic/>

This amphitheatre, through its conservation, has served as an example for the study of ancient building techniques.

===Later use===
In the [[Middle Ages]] the interior of the Arena was often used for grazing, occasional tournaments by the [[Knights Hospitaller|Knights of Malta]] and medieval fairs. In 1583 the [[Venetian Senate]] proposed dismantling the arena and rebuilding it within [[Venice]]. The proposals were rejected. Today, a headstone celebrating the Venetian senator {{ill|Gabriele Emo|lt=Gabriele Emo's|sh}} opposition to the plan is currently visible on the second tower.

In 1789, stone was taken from Pula arena for the [[Bell tower|belfry]] foundations at [[Pula Cathedral]]. This was the last time the arena was used as a source of stone.

===Restoration===
General [[Auguste de Marmont]], as governor of the [[Illyrian Provinces]] during the [[First French Empire]], started the restoration of the arena. This was continued in 1816 by the [[Ticino|Ticinese]] architect [[Pietro Nobile]], commissioned by the Emperor [[Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis I of Austria]].

In 1932, the arena was adapted for theatre productions, military ceremonies and public meetings. In its present state, seating capacity is around 7,000 and 12,500 for all standing events.

==Present day==
The arena is used as a venue for many concerts. Performances have included ones by [[Duran Duran]], [[Foo Fighters]], [[Luciano Pavarotti]], [[Đorđe Balašević]], [[Plácido Domingo]], [[Andrea Bocelli]], [[Nina Badrić]], [[Hillsong United]], [[Patrizio Buanne]], [[José Carreras|Jose Carreras]], [[Dino Merlin]], [[Jamiroquai]], [[Anastacia]], [[Eros Ramazzotti]], [[Maksim Mrvica]], [[Norah Jones]], [[Zucchero]], [[Zdravko Čolić]], [[Alanis Morissette]], [[Sinéad O'Connor]], [[Elton John]], [[Dua Lipa]], [[Robbie Williams]], [[2Cellos]], [[Sting (musician)|Sting]], [[Michael Bolton]], [[Seal (musician)|Seal]], [[Il Divo]], [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]], [[Gibonni]], [[Manu Chao]], [[Oliver Dragojević]], [[Leonard Cohen]], [[Grace Jones]], [[Moderat]], [[David Gilmour]], [[Avril Lavigne]], [[Arctic Monkeys]], [[Marko Perković|Thompson]] and Frank Zivkovic. It has a capacity of about 5000 spectators, and also hosts operas, ballets, sports competitions as well as the [[Pula Film Festival]]. The arena is open to the public daily, and the underground passages house exhibitions of [[viticulture]] and [[olive]] growing in Istria.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pulainfo.hr/where/arena-amphitheater-2 |title=Arena – Amphitheater |publisher=Pula.info |access-date=11 February 2021 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131123249/https://www.pulainfo.hr/where/arena-amphitheater-2 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Official Arena Light Postcard photo - Guinness World Record in Largest torchlit image formed by people category, 4013 participants, photo by Duško Marušić Čiči.jpg|thumb|220px|left|Arena Pula broke the [[Guinness World Record]] in the "Largest Human Light Sign" category]]

The arena has also been used for cinematic works such as ''[[Titus (film)|Titus]]'', a 1999 film adaptation of [[Shakespeare]]'s revenge tragedy ''[[Titus Andronicus]]'' by [[Julie Taymor]]. On 8 July 2019, a football match was played between the former players of [[FC Bayern Munich]] and the [[Croatia national football team]] as part of a tourism partnership deal between FC Bayern Munich and the [[Istria County|Istria]] Tourist Board signed in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dimitrova |first1=Monika |title=A football match will be played for the first time inside Pula Arena |url=https://www.themayor.eu/en/a/view/a-football-match-will-be-played-for-the-first-time-inside-pula-arena-2862 |work=www.themayor.eu |publisher=TheMayor.EU |date=10 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Two professional [[ice hockey]] games were played there on September 14 and 16, 2012;<ref>{{cite web|last=Leahy|first=Sean|title=Here's what hockey in a Roman amphitheatre looked like (Spoiler: It was awesome)|date=17 September 2012 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/hockey-roman-amphitheater-looked-spoiler-awesome-181854444--nhl.html|publisher=Yahoo Sports|access-date=18 September 2012}}</ref> [[KHL Medveščak]], a Zagreb-based [[Erste Bank Eishockey Liga]] club, hosted [[HDD Olimpija Ljubljana]] and the [[Vienna Capitals]].

==Panorama==
{{wide image|Anfiteatro de Pula, Croacia, 2017-04-16, DD 01-06 PAN.jpg|700px|align-cap=center|Interior of Pula arena}}

==See also==
* [[Pula Film Festival]]
* [[List of Roman sites]]

==References==
* Turner, J., ''[[Grove Dictionary of Art]]'', [[Oxford University Press]], USA. New Ed edition, January 2, 1996. {{ISBN|0-19-517068-7}}.
* Mlakar, Stefan, ''The Amphitheatre in Pula'', [[The Archaeological Museum of Istra]], 1957.
* {{cite book|last=Džin|first=Kristina|title=Arena Pula|editor=Mirko Žužić|publisher=Viza MG d.o.o. Remetinečka cesta 81, Zagreb|location=[[Zagreb]]|isbn=978-953-7422-15-8|ref=Kristina69}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Amphitheatre (Pula)}}
* [http://www.ppsspace.com/history-pps.html?start=8 Pula Arena in Croatia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414140916/http://www.ppsspace.com/history-pps.html?start=8 |date=2021-04-14 }} – presentation about history of Pula Arena
* [http://www.galenfrysinger.com/croatia_pula_arena.htm Arena (Colliseum) of Pula]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040618001637/http://www.mdc.hr/pula/ Archaeological Museum of Istria]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070629012414/http://www.histrica.com/istria/blue/pula/xt/kravata-croata.html A Cravat around an Arena]
* [http://www.histriafestival.com Histria Festival] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124000015/http://histriafestival.com/ |date=2021-01-24 }}
* [http://www.romanheritage.com/en/contenido/?idsec=2627 Site Romanheritage.com with thousands of photos of Roman Amphitheater at Pula, Croatia, and the rest of the Roman Empire]

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[[Category:Tourist attractions in Pula|Arena]]
[[Category:60s establishments in the Roman Empire]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 1st century]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Croatia]]
[[Category:Roman amphitheatres]]
[[Category:Ancient Roman buildings and structures in Croatia]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Pula]]
[[Category:Music venues in Croatia]]