Pula Castle (Kastel), Pula (must see)

Throughout its history, Pula has been attacked many times. Before the Roman era, the indigenous Histri built defensive fortifications on the hill in the center of the settlement. Centuries later, the Venetians chose the same strategic location, which offered an ideal position for defending both the city and its bay.

Pula Castle was built between 1630 and 1633 according to designs by the French military architect and engineer Antoine de Ville. Stone from ancient Roman structures, as well as material from local quarries, was used in its construction.

Viewed from above, the fort has a flower-like, star-shaped plan. Its rectangular central section is reinforced by four projecting pentagonal bastions, designed to provide more effective defensive fire. The castle formed part of Pula’s extensive fortification system. During the Austro-Hungarian period, it was known as Hafen Kastell and served at various times as an armory, prison, and barracks.

Today, the 17th-century Baroque fortress houses the Historical and Maritime Museum of Istria. The museum preserves more than 100,000 objects, including coins, photographs, military equipment, prints, maps, postcards, and documents connected with the region’s maritime history and shipbuilding traditions.

Its collections include thousands of 19th-century postcards, around 1,500 of which depict maritime and naval scenes, as well as the lives and work of sailors. The Maritime History Department displays shipbuilding artifacts and objects recovered by divers from shipwrecks. Visitors can also see a reconstruction of a 19th-century military hospital and exhibits related to the history of pharmacy.

In addition to its museum collections, the castle offers an extensive overview of Pula’s history and impressive views across the city and harbor.