Small Roman Theatre

The level of cultural development in ancient Pula was exceptional, which is confirmed by the town's amphitheatre and as many as two theatres. A Large Roman Theatre was located outside the town walls of the time, along the Monte Zara slopes. Unfortunately, this theatre has not been preserved, but in a few details. Pula had the second, so-called Small Roman Theatre, located within the town walls, on the hill slope underneath the Castle dating back to the 1st century AD. The area was divided into the stage and the proscene where the acting took place, the orchestra and the viewing area or the cavea. The theatre lied on the hill slope, which was the characteristic of Greek theatres. Only the stage foundations and a part of the semi-circular viewing area of the Small Roman Theatre have remained preserved. During the Antiquity, the theatre occupied a larger space not visible today in view of never completed archaeological surveys. Its capacity was estimated between 4 and 5 thousand spectators, which was the entire population of Pula at the time. Today, as in the Roman times, the twin gates lead to the theatre. In front of it is the Archaeological Museum, once the site of the German high school.