Forum Square and Communal Palace, Pula

Forum Square and Communal Palace, Pula (must see)

The history of Pula is in its main square, the Forum Square. Pula was officially founded in 44 BC by one Cassius Longinus, brother to the infamous Cassius, assassin of Julius Caesar and by Lucius Calpurnius Piso, Julius Caesar's father-in-law.

The forum of Pula was a venue for public events, politics, religion, and commerce. The square originally measured 128 feet (39 meters) by 269 feet (82 meters). In the north side of the forum were temples dedicated to the Roman gods Jupiter, Juno and Minerva.

Only the temple of Augustus from about 14 AD has been perfectly preserved. Parts of the other temples may be found in the back wall of the Communal Palace, built in the 13th century. The Pula Forum continued to be the town's main square throughout the middle ages.

In the Venetian era, the Communal Palace replaced the temples of the gods. It would be used as the governmental center. The Temple of Diana had served as a town hall since the 9th century. The core date of the Communal Palace is 1296, the time when Pula became a free municipality. The Palace remains the seat of government today.

The structure of the Palace shows a mixture of styles. The east walls show combined Romanesque and Gothic elements. The sculptures of Telemon and Siren in corners flanked by Renaissance columns and Baroque windows mark the latest changes to the Communal Palace. Having been neglected for centuries, the Palace is now restored and it is today a popular tourist attraction.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Pula. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Forum Square and Communal Palace on Map

Sight Name: Forum Square and Communal Palace
Sight Location: Pula, Croatia (See walking tours in Pula)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Pula, Croatia

Create Your Own Walk in Pula

Create Your Own Walk in Pula

Creating your own self-guided walk in Pula is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Pula Introduction Walking Tour

Pula Introduction Walking Tour

Greek mythology attributed the foundation of the city of Polai, known as Pula today, to the Colchians. In the story of Jason and Medea, it is said that Jason seduced Medea, the Witch of Colchis. He then escaped with her and the Golden Fleece. The unlucky Colchians chased them into the Adriatic. They lost them and being lost themselves, they settled in Polai which they called a "Place of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Pula's Seaside Walking Tour

Pula's Seaside Walking Tour

If you crave for holidays by the sea, the Croatian coast is a good choice for family vacation, especially so if it includes the town of Pula. This charming port city is rich in tourist attractions, the most famous of which, undoubtedly, are the local beaches and bays.

Indeed, the dreamlike beaches of Pula are widely regarded among the most picturesque in Istria. Incredibly spectacular, these...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles