Pula

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[[Image:PulaAerial.jpg|350px|thumb|right|'''Pula with Roman amphitheatre and marina'''<br/>''Click for larger view'']]
[[Image:PulaAerial.jpg|350px|thumb|right|'''Pula with Roman amphitheatre and marina'''<br/>''Click for larger view'']]
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The large commercial harbour of Pula lies 10 miles N of the extreme southern tip of the Istrian peninsula and 17 miles south of the harbour of [[Rovinj]].  Situated at the head of a wide and well-protected natural inlet, Pula has been an important settlement since the Bronze Age.  The Illyrian tribes that occupied the area by the first century BC were displaced by the Romans in 178 BC and Pula subsequently grew to become an important outpost of the empire by 45 BC, when Julius Caesar elevated it to the status of a colony.  Siding with the assassins of Caesar, Brutus and Cassius, the town was razed following Octavian’s victory over them at the battle of Philippi in 42 BC but was later rebuilt on an even grander scale, with encircling walls and ten gates.  Later embellishments included the magnificent amphitheatre, constructed between 27 BC and 68 AD, which is one of the most complete in existence and the sixth largest Roman amphitheatre to have survived.  Later rulers to exploit the harbour’s great natural advantages included the Byzantines, Venetians and Austro-Hungarians - the latter turning Pula into their most important naval base.  Like the rest of Istria, Pula came into Italian hands after the Great War, only to become part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia after the conclusion of World War II and of the Republic of Croatia on independence in 1995.  Today, Pula’s numerous Roman remains, beaches to the south and nature reserve of the Brioni Islands, the former private domain of the Yugoslav President Tito, to the north attract hordes of tourists during the summer months.  Visiting yachts can usually find a berth at the small ACI marina of [[Marina Pula]], which has 213 berths for yachts up to 15 metres.
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The large commercial harbour of Pula lies 10 miles N of the extreme southern tip of the Istrian peninsula and 17 miles south of the harbour of [[Rovinj]].  Situated at the head of a wide and well-protected natural inlet, Pula has been an important settlement since the Bronze Age.  The Illyrian tribes that occupied the area by the first century BC were displaced by the Romans in 178 BC and Pula subsequently grew to become an important outpost of the empire by 45 BC, when Julius Caesar elevated it to the status of a colony.  Siding with the assassins of Caesar, Brutus and Cassius, the town was razed following Octavian’s victory over them at the battle of Philippi in 42 BC but was later rebuilt on an even grander scale, with encircling walls and ten gates.  Later embellishments included the magnificent amphitheatre, constructed between 27 BC and 68 AD, which is one of the most complete in existence and the sixth largest Roman amphitheatre to have survived.  Later rulers to exploit the harbour’s great natural advantages included the Byzantines, Venetians and Austro-Hungarians - the latter turning Pula into their most important naval base.  Like the rest of Istria, Pula came into Italian hands after the Great War, only to become part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia after the conclusion of World War II and of the Republic of Croatia on independence in 1995.  Today, Pula’s numerous Roman remains, beaches to the south and national park of the Brijuni Islands, the former private domain of the Yugoslav President Tito, to the north attract hordes of tourists during the summer months.  Visiting yachts can usually find a berth at the small ACI marina of [[Marina Pula]], which has 213 berths for yachts up to 15 metres.
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==Offshore Islands and Groups==
==Offshore Islands and Groups==
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* Brioni Islands (access restricted).  It is possible to visit here in your own yacht, but the charges are deliberately astronomical in order to limit numbers.  Frankly, it isn’t worth it.
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* Brijuni Islands (access restricted).  It is possible to visit here in your own yacht, but the charges are deliberately astronomical in order to limit numbers.  It's better to go on an excursion from Fazana north of Pula.
==Marinas & Yacht Clubs==
==Marinas & Yacht Clubs==

Revision as of 14:26, 7 March 2011

Pula, Croatia

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44°52.0′N, 13°50.0′E
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[ Photo gallery]
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[ Local chartlet]
Pula with Roman amphitheatre and marina
Click for larger view

The large commercial harbour of Pula lies 10 miles N of the extreme southern tip of the Istrian peninsula and 17 miles south of the harbour of Rovinj. Situated at the head of a wide and well-protected natural inlet, Pula has been an important settlement since the Bronze Age. The Illyrian tribes that occupied the area by the first century BC were displaced by the Romans in 178 BC and Pula subsequently grew to become an important outpost of the empire by 45 BC, when Julius Caesar elevated it to the status of a colony. Siding with the assassins of Caesar, Brutus and Cassius, the town was razed following Octavian’s victory over them at the battle of Philippi in 42 BC but was later rebuilt on an even grander scale, with encircling walls and ten gates. Later embellishments included the magnificent amphitheatre, constructed between 27 BC and 68 AD, which is one of the most complete in existence and the sixth largest Roman amphitheatre to have survived. Later rulers to exploit the harbour’s great natural advantages included the Byzantines, Venetians and Austro-Hungarians - the latter turning Pula into their most important naval base. Like the rest of Istria, Pula came into Italian hands after the Great War, only to become part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia after the conclusion of World War II and of the Republic of Croatia on independence in 1995. Today, Pula’s numerous Roman remains, beaches to the south and national park of the Brijuni Islands, the former private domain of the Yugoslav President Tito, to the north attract hordes of tourists during the summer months. Visiting yachts can usually find a berth at the small ACI marina of Marina Pula, which has 213 berths for yachts up to 15 metres.

Charts

British Admiralty 201, 204

Croatian charts 100-15, 100-16, 11

Italian charts 924, 39, 6002

Imray Nautical Chart M24

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Local Weather

Diurnal winds along the coast are mostly moderate during the summer months, predominantly from NW and rarely exceeding force 4/5. At night, katabatic winds off the mountains are a feature of some of the harbours along the NE Adriatic coast. During early spring and (especially) autumn conditions can be more unsettled, occasionally accompanied by violent thunderstorms - luckily of short duration - with winds of 30-35 knots or more and vicious, steep seas. In the winter the sudden, violent N wind off the mountains, the bora, is much to be feared.

Equally prevalent in winter - although not uncommon in summer - is the scirocco, a S/SE wind that blows up from North Africa, usually in advance of a depression moving E across the Mediterranean. Unlike the bora, the scirocco only occasionally exceeds gale force, but is still a phenomenon to be wary of, especially if on a lee coast.

For sources of weather forecasting, see Croatia.

Approach and Navigation

In the approach from N a yacht can either sail outside the Brioni Islands or through the channel separating them from the mainland, which is well marked. The approach from S is straightforward. The entrance to Pula inlet is protected on the S side by a breakwater extending nearly a mile NNW from the southern headland. Sections of the breakwater are damaged and it is important to round the light structure at its end rather than mistake the damaged sections for an entry channel. Once in the harbour, continue SE for a mile, leaving the islands of Katerina and Andrija to port, before turning N, leaving the island of Uljanik, where there is a conspicuous shipyard linked to the mainland by a causeway, to starboard. The marina and anchorage is half a mile E of the northern tip of Uljanik island. Beware of the shoal ground extending E and S from the tip of the island, the limits of which are marked with four marker buoys. Shelter in the marina and anchorage is good, although strong W winds make it uncomfortable.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

Yachts arriving directly from Slovenia or Italy can berth at the pier to the E of the marina, clear of the ferries. Yachts are not permitted to tie up here except for the purpose of clearing in. The customs post is 150 metres SW along the front. If not clearing in, go straight to the marina, which offers 213 berths for yachts up to 15 metres in depths of up to 6.0 metres. See Marina Pula for full details.

Offshore Islands and Groups

  • Brijuni Islands (access restricted). It is possible to visit here in your own yacht, but the charges are deliberately astronomical in order to limit numbers. It's better to go on an excursion from Fazana north of Pula.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Anchorages

It is possible to anchor in 6.0 - 8.0 metres N of the ferry pier, clear of the ferry access route. Holding is excellent in mud. Shelter is good, although strong westerlies create an uncomfortable swell.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

Repairs/Yards

See entry for Marina Pula for details.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel dock to E of the marina (0800 - 2000). Water and electricity in the marina.

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Most visitors come to Pula for its impressive collection of Roman remains. The highlight is the huge Roman amphitheatre, completed in 68 AD and towering over the marina. In its heyday the structure could seat an estimated 25,000 people. While virtually intact from the exterior, the interior was sadly stripped out for building materials during the mediaeval era. Other remains include the Arch of the Sergii and a Roman temple to Rome and Augustus, both also dating from the 1st century AD. In the remains of a nearby Roman house an excellent mosaic of the mythical Dirce [1] being tied to the bull’s horns is preserved. In the main square next to the temple of Rome and Augustus is the charming 13th century Gothic old town hall. The cathedral, much altered and repaired since its 5th century AD foundation, still has some of the original mosaics. It lies at the southern end of town under the 17th century Venetian fortress. For admirers of the macabre, a visit to the village of Vodnjan 10 kms north of Pula enables you to view the dessicated mummies and remains of several saints, hidden from Napoleon’s army during the 1797 invasion and later installed in the church of St Blaise. They include the brain stem and spinal cord of St Sebastian and (reasonably) well preserved corpses of several other, mostly Italian, saints.

Grocery & Supply Stores

  • Good provisions shops in the town

Eateries

  • Numerous bars and restaurants in the town.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Rental outlets in the town.

Garbage Disposal

Bins in the marina.

Transportation

  • Buses to Rijeka and Zagreb.
  • International airports of Pula: 6 kms and Rijeka: 90 kms.

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

  • Istria Tourism website: [2]

For other useful websites, see Croatia.

References & Publications

See entry for Croatia.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

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