Croatia: Pula

We finally arrived in Pula at the southern end of the Istria Peninsula. Pula also happens to be the largest city in Istria and had a shipyard that employed 9000 people before the dissolution of Yugoslavia. The shipyard went bankrupt and now employs zero, though the waterfront is still rather industrial looking.

Pula, known in Latin as Colonia Pietas Iulia Pola Pollentia Herculanea, was a major Roman town. Amid the medieval old town, there are ruins of Roman temples, triumph arches, gates/walls, mosaic floors... Most impressive of all, Pula has the 6th largest Roman colosseum in the world, the only one whose four side towers are preserved. Such features had completely escaped me before.

Maybe the best city arrival in our travels ever was walking from the bus station in Pula to our apartment past an historic Art Nouveau cinema (1st below) , a roman colosseum (2nd below), and a 120 y.o. central market.






After eating the best roman-style pizza ever (1st below), we set off to the Old Town, entering through the Arch of the Sergii from 27 BC.




Temple of Augustus (27 BC to 14 AD) at the old Roman Forum ruins.




View of the Roman Arena from Pula Castle, and we stayed for the sunset.




The So-Called Hidden Roman 3rd-Century AD Floor Mosaic of "The Punishment of Dirce"


Home. And we polished off the Chocolate Pistachio Dessert we bought from Maremma Pizza earlier. Homemade.


The next morning we walked through the adjacent outdoor Sunday Market. Wow!




We bought some green apple ice cream - it was so-so.


Approaching the Roman Arena we saw a mob of people waiting in line to buy tickets. But no, there was an antique car show in front, and in back of the Arena.












Burek!


When the Italians were tossed out of Istria after WWII they left behind some impressive between-the-wars Italian Rationalist-Style Architecture.






After dinner we walked back to visit the Roman Arena at sunset.

Croatia: Rovinj

Our next town in Croatia is Rovinj (rowVEEN) to the south. At first glance Rovinj is not that different from Piran, only more photogenic, and slightly bigger. On the second day we had a coastal walk from Rovinj to Zlatni Rt Forest Park, originally purchased and planted by Trieste shipping money, i.e. gains from colonies. Along the way, we saw swanky resort hotels within walking distance from Rovinj. No wonder John had discerned earlier that Rovinj clientele are posher here than in Porec, given the multitude of boat excursions or water sports on offer.

Sun-Ling and her red backpack arrive in Rovinj.


The "Boy with a Fish" statue in Marshal Tito Square celebrates bringing running water to the Old Town in 1959.


Harbor


Boatmen hang out at the edge of the harbor. They will row you to an island, a beach, or just row you around. In the evenings at sunset they become the singing boatmen (see video 2nd and 3rd below).






Tourists like us walk through the Old Town. Maybe stopping at Balbi's for lunch or trying the green apple flavor at one of the ubiquitous ice cream shops.






The locals are proud of Saint Euphemia Church. Inside are paintings of the Martyrdom of Saint Euphemia. Legend has it that in 800 AD her heavy marble sarcophagus floated across the Adriatic and onshore in Rovinj, and a small boy was able to manage an oxcart to pull it uphill to the church where it rests today.










View from Saint Euphemia




Sunning, swimming, and snorkeling in the clear Adriatic waters.




The sunset was awesome! We hung around for a while after the sun disappeared to enjoy the colors.










And the lights come on.


On the second day we had a coastal walk from Rovinj to Zlatni Rt Forest Park. Of interest to John was the small shipyard and crane.




There were several large resorts with private beaches and accoutrements (1st and 2nd below). We popped into the Hotel Lone (3rd below) to check out the atrium architecture. The Grand Park Hotel Rovinj (4th below) is visible from all points around the bay.








At the quarry there were several groups of rock climbers.


The paths through the forested park were nice.


Photo Point!




Snack time = a savory pastry from Konzum market.