Pula

Pula is the largest town on the Istrian peninsula. It is famous for its rich heritage from the past as well as for its intensive efforts to develop further and fullfil its main branch of services, tourism. A part of Pula's offering to tourists is of course dependent on its cultural-historical monuments from which most date back to the time of ancient Rome. Apart from the Roman amphitheatre, there is the Arch of Sergii from the 1st century B.C., the gate of Hercules and The Twin Gates, the town's walls, Augustus' temple, the small Roman theatre, and the Forum which today is one of the main gathering places for citizens and tourists alike. Pula offers its visitors a rich programme of entertainment, beginning with concerts, performances and exhibitions within its cultural summer festival, but also out of the tourist season, of which most are held in its unrivalled arena. In Pula itself there are a few beautifully equipped tourist complexes, which aside from the quality of their facilities offer visitors everything they need: nicely-kept beaches with all facilities, cafes, restaurants, shops, and a whole array of sport and entertainment facilities. Pula as a centre of tourism, cultivates its rich gastronomy, with traditional Istrian dishes which are offered in a wide fan of fish and seafood, meat dishes and local pastry, and all of this seasoned with fine olive oils or the highly esteemed ingredient typical of and exclusive to this region – truffles. The tradition in wine is also very old, so that on a table groaning with food one usually can find very sophisticated wines.