Pula or Pola (Croatian pronunciation: [pǔːla] Pola Italian and Istro-Romanian; Latin: Colonia Pietas Iulia Pola Pollentia Herculanea; Slovene and Chakavian: Pulj, German: Polei, Ancient Greek: Πόλαι, Polae) is the largest city in Istria County, Croatia, situated at the southern tip of the Istria peninsula, with a population of 57,460 (2011). Like the rest of the region, it is known for its mild climate, smooth sea, and unspoiled nature. The city has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing, shipbuilding, and tourism. It has also been Istria's administrative centre since ancient Roman times.

History

Pre-history

Evidence of the presence of Homo erectus 1 million years ago has been found in the cave of Šandalja near Pula/Pola. Pottery from the Neolithic period (6000–2000 BC), indicating human settlement, has been found around Pula - Pola. In the Bronze Age (1800–1000 BC), a new type of settlement appeared in Istria, called 'gradine', or Hill-top fortifications. Many late Bronze Age bone objects, such as tools for smoothing and drilling, sewing needles, as well as spiral bronze pendants, have been found in the area around Pula/Pola. The type of materials found in Bronze Age sites in Istria connects these with sites along the Danube. The inhabitants of Istria in the Bronze Age are known as Proto Illyrians.

Pula is a city in Istria, Croatia.

Pula may also refer to:

Places

People

Other uses

Pula (Latin: Nora) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Cagliari in the Italian region of Sardinia, located about 25 kilometres (16 mi) southwest of Cagliari. As of December 31, 2004, it had a population of 6,937, and an area of 138.7 square kilometres (53.6 sq mi).

Pula is a popular holiday resort, with many famous hotels and beaches. The ruins of the ancient city of Nora are among the most important archaeological sites of the island.

The Municipality of Pula contains the frazione (subdivision) Santa Margherita di Pula.

History

Pula is located near the ancient city of Nora. Nora was built by Phoenicians around the eighth century B.C. Pula may have arisen from pre-existing nuragic settlements, of which there are some testimonials, or according to the legend by the Iberians conducted in Sardinia by Norax.

During the following centuries, the city was ruled by the Punics, and then by the Romans. The latter raised it for a short time in the capital of the province of Corsica et Sardinia, and then gave that title to the nearby Caralis (modern Cagliari). After the end of the Roman Empire, like many other ancient Sardinian coastal cities, because of the Saracen raids, the city of Nora ceased to exist from about the eighth century AD.