Our excursion to Venice and the Dalmatian Coast was drawing to a close with a visit on Wednesday, May 16th, to Pula, an industrial port and Istria’s largest city. As we sailed in we passed Pula’s shipyard, one of Pula’s largest employers.
Once docked we started our walking tour with a visit to the town’s amphitheater, a symbol of Rome’s past dominance. The amphitheater is the sixth largest in existence and one of the best preserved in the world.
We were led by Barbara, our guide, into the subterranean part of the arena where she introduced us to a copy of an ancient map of the Roman Empire which purported to span the entire empire from east to west and north to south. The picture is not too good but you get the idea. Barbara is pointing a a blow-up of the map. The replica is the narrow, long map just below her elbow, at the bottom.
Outside the amphitheater JoAnn and Barbara stopped to discuss the park and well preserved Roman architecture.
From there it was a short walk to into the old town. We passed the old Roman walls as . .
. . . we made our way to the local market.
It was a lovely morning, sunny and warm, and the local sidewalk cafes were just beginning to get busy.
From there we ambled over to the Arch of the Sergius, a memorial built to honor Lucius Sergius Lepidus who fought by the side of Augustus in the civil wars that swept the empire after the assassination of Julius Caesar.
We began to make our way back to Le Lyrial. As we did we passed some posters advertising “The Full Monte.” Posters are a snapshot into the lives of an area. Have a look.
We even had a chance to see this man at work.
As we returned to Le Lyrial I was able to get this shot of the ship.
Then we were off, en route to Rovinj, our last port of call before returning to Venice for our flight home.
Travels with Cappy 