Facts about Pula
Pula is the largest city in Istria. It is situated at the southern tip of the peninsula. As of 2006, Pula has a population of 62,080. Like the rest of the region, it is known for its mild climate, tame sea, and unspoiled nature. The city has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing, shipbuilding, and tourism. Pula has also been Istria's administrative center since ancient Roman times. Pula is the largest city in Istria county, with a metropolitan area of 90,000 people.[2006] As of 2005, the city itself has 62,080 residents, while the metropolitan area includes Barban (2,802 residents), Fažana (3,050 residents), Ližnjan (2,945 residents), Marcana (3,903 residents), Medulin (6,004 residents), Svetvincenat (2,218 residents) and Vodnjan (5,651 residents). Its population density is 1,093.27 residents/km², ranking Pula fifth in Croatia.[2006] Pula's birth rate is 1.795 per cent and its mortality rate is 1.014 per cent, as of 2006. In 2001 466 people were born and 594 deceased. As of 2001 Census, the majority of Pula's citizens are Croats representing 71.65% of the population. According to the 2001 census, the composition of ethnic minorities in Pula is as follows: 3,415 Serbs (5.83 per cent), 2,824 Italians (4.82 per cent), 980 Bosnians (1.67 per cent), 731 Slovenians (1.25 per cent) and the rest belong to other minor ethnic communities. The city lies on and beneath seven hills (Monte Zaro, Monte Serpente, Monte Ghiro, Monte Magno, Monte Paradiso, Monte Rizzi and Monte Vidal), on the inner part of a wide gulf and a naturally well-protected port (depth up to 38 m) open to the northwest with two entrances: from the sea and through Fažana channel. Today, Pula's geographical area amounts to 5,165 ha, 4,150 ha on land and 1,015 ha at sea, bounded from the north by islands Sv. Jerolim and Kozada, city areas Štinjan, Veli Vrh and Šijanic forest; from the east area Monteserpo, Valmade, Busoler and Valdebek; from the south with the old gas works, commercial port Veruda and island Veruda; and from the west Verudela, Lungomare and Musil. Human remains, dating back to 1 million years B.C., have been found in the cave of Sandalj near Pula. Pottery from the Neolithic period (6000-2000 B.C.), indicating human settlement, have been found around Pula. The city's earliest recorded permanent habitation dates back to the 10th century BC. Pula was founded by the Illyrian tribe of the Histri, an ancient people that lived in Istria. The town was known to early Greek voyagers, since its founding was attributed to the Colchis. Pula was mentioned in the mythological story of Jason and Medea, who had stolen the golden fleece. The Istrian peninsula was conquered by the Romans in 177 B.C., starting a period of Romanization. The town was elevated to colonial rank between 46-45 B.C. . In 425 A.D. the town became the center of a bishopric, attested by the remains of foundations of a few religious buildings. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the city and region were destroyed by the Ostrogoths. Their rule ended about 60 years later, when Pula came under the rule of the Exarchate of Ravenna (540-751). The first arrival of the Slavs in the environs of the town dates to the 7th century, but they never really settled the city, which always kept its Italian soul. From 788 on Pula was ruled by the Frankish kingdom under Charlemagne. Pula became the seat of the elective counts of Istria until 1077. The town was taken in 1148 by the Venetians and in 1150 Pula swore allegiance to the Republic of Venice, thus becoming a Venetian possession. It was conquered by the Pisans in 1192 but soon reconquered by the Venetians. In 1238 Pope Gregory IX formed an alliance between Genoa and Venice against the Empire, and consequently against Pisa too. As Pula had sided with the Pisans, the city was sacked by the Venetians in 1243. It was destroyed again in 1267 and again in 1397 when the Genoese defeated the Venetians in a naval battle. Pula is quoted by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, who had visited Pula, in the Divine Comedy: "come a Pola, presso del Carnaro ch'Italia chiude e i suoi termini bagna" or "as Pula, along the Quarnero, that marks the end of Italy and bathes its boundaries". Venetians took over Pula in 1331 and ruled the city until 1797. During the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, Pula was attacked and occupied by the Genoese, a Croatian-Hungarian army and the Habsburgs; several outlying medieval settlements and towns were destroyed. In addition to war, the plague, malaria and typhoid ravaged the city. By the 1750s there were only 300 inhabitants left in pula. For several years after 1945, Pula was administered by the United Nations. On August 18, 1946 Pula was the site of the Vergarolla explosion. In 1946, C. Schiffer noticed the Pula County has 87,787 inhabitants (54,074 (64%) Italians, 27,102 (32%) Croats, 771 Slovenes). The city is best known for its many surviving ancient Roman buildings, the most famous of which is its first century amphitheatre, sixth largest in the world and locally known as the Arena. This is one of the best preserved amphitheatres from antiquity and is still in use today during summer film festivals. During the World War II Italian fascist administration, there were attempts to disassemble the historic arena and move it to mainland Italy, which were quickly abandoned due to the costs involved. Famous Italian actress, Alida Valli, was born in Pula. |
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