Arena, Pula
Investor
Arheološki muzej Istre, Pula
Category
Public buildings
Roman amphitheatre, widely known Arena, was built in a dominant position above the port. Built in the period from 1st to 2nd century, it has an elliptical floor plan (133 x 105 m), the walls are 32.5 m high, and it could accommodate about 20,000 spectators. It is the sixth largest preserved amphitheatre in the world.
Placing a permanent thematic exhibition on olive growing and viticulture in Istria in antiquity in the underground room of the amphitheatre required the reconstruction of the reinforced concrete ceiling and the decoration of the interior of the space. According to the project requirements, the dilapidated concrete ceiling slab was removed along the central part of the arena, a new one was built, supported on prestressed reinforced concrete beams and columns. The stone walls in the underground spaces were constructed by using traditional methods and materials - hand-worked stone with binder according to old recipes.