Bus from PULA to MANNHEIM

Pula may not be the largest city of Croatia, but it takes the 8^th spot when it comes to size and is the largest city of Istria with population counting 57, 460 citizens and more. What makes Pula distinctive among other Croatian cities is its tradition of winemaking, fishing, shipbuilding, and booming tourism. In addition, it has also been Istria's administrative centre since ancient Roman times. While to an unobserving eye Pula may seem like a usual workday city, wealthy Roman architecture makes Pula stand out not just in Croatia, but worldwide. The star of the show is the remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, smack in the heart of the city, which dominates the streetscape and doubles as a venue for summer concerts and festivals.

Amphitheatre: Pula’s most famous and imposing sight situated in the heart of the city is this 1st-century oval amphitheatre, which lies above the harbour northeast of the old town. This mesmerizing construction, made completely out of local limestone, is called the Arena by locals and tourists alike. Throughout history it was used for hosting gladiatorial contests. With the capacity to accommodate around 20,000 spectators. Nowadays, Arena represents Istria's popular tourist attraction, but it is also the place of mass entertainment events, such as concerts and competitions.

Lightning Giants: A sight not to be missed while visiting Pula is its star evening attraction, a lighting display at the city's 19th-century Uljanik shipyard, regarded as  one of the world's oldest working docks. Renowned lighting designer Dean Skira has lit up the shipyard's iconic cranes in 16,000 different colour shades, which bring them to life four times every evening on the specified hour and last for 15 minutes.

Temple of the Augustus: While this temple is the only visible remnant from the Roman era on the Forum, it was regarded as Pula’s central meeting place from antiquity through the Middle Ages, and it has still preserved this function today. The temple, whose building process took a lot of time to finish, from 2 BC to AD 14, is open to public throughout the year,  now housing a small museum of Roman sculpture with the occasional temporary show.

Zerostrasse: This underground system of tunnels was built before and during WWI to shelter the city's population and serve as storage for ammunition. Now tourists can walk through several of its sections, which all lead to the middle, where a photo exhibition shows early aviation in Pula. 

Triumphal Arch of Sergii: While it cannot bear the title of the oldest Roman monument, this triumphal arch that was built in honor of the powerful Sergii family’s participation in the pivotal Battle of Actium in France. It dates to about 30 BC and despite its great age. The arch has preserved its shape till today.. When it was built the arch was a city gate leading up from the naval port. Carved into the stone are friezes depicting cupids and garlands, and just beneath this you can still spot a relief of a horse-drawn battle chariot.

Kastel, a Venetian fortress overlooking Pula, dates from the 1600s. The powerful-looking walls which leave every visitor speechless were designed in a star configuration, which was a state-of-the-art design in order to repel artillery after the arrival of gunpowder. Kastel was created with the purpose to serve as Venetians’ main stronghold, defending Pula’s harbour as well as the entire upper Adriatic.

Situated inside the Austro-Hungarian fortress Verudela, Pula’s Aquarium is regarded as the largest in Croatia. The aquarium is a useful option for rainy days or the hottest afternoons in summer, as well as a magnificent place for those traveling with children. Blending neatly with the fort’s stone architecture, tanks with freshwater and marine species native to Croatia and the Adriatic, together with tropical displays, a turtle rescue centre (the only one to be found in Croatia) and an entire room devoted to sea horses, are an unforgettable sight. The centerpiece of the attraction is the shark tank, which is found in the former atrium of the fortress.

Historical attractions aside, Pula is a busy commercial city on the sea that has managed to retain a friendly small-town appeal. It is conveniently located and with a short bus ride, a series of beaches can be reached at the resorts that occupy the Verudela Peninsula to the south. Further south along the indented shoreline, the Premantura Peninsula hides a spectacular nature park, the protected cape of Kamenjak.

 

Mannheim is the second largest city in Baden-Württemberg. This university town and former residence town houses about 315,000 inhabitants. The City of Mannheim in the region of Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan has its inimitable chess board-like structure, which aims a systematic and easier track location for everyone. Likewise, Mannheim is commonly associated with New York City’s borough and Manhattan with its square collation.

Discover the City’s Artistic Collection for free: If you visit the city on the first Wednesday of the month, you can go at the Kunsthalle (Art Gallery) for free and explore the various modern and contemporary art collections. Every Wednesday, the art gallery welcomes guests for free as well as from 6-8 in the evening. This 144-year old building gathers a long range of artworks from paper, woods and even virtual, which were constructed primarily for the City’s 300th founding anniversary. The planned demolition of the structure after the International Art Exhibition was cancelled and shifted into a town’s art gallery that has been exhibiting until today.

Grab a ‘naturally-made’ ice cream: After making your eyes full with industrial works, it is time to fill in something to your stomach.  Zeitgeist is just perfect for it. The shop has been operating since May this year, offering a daily surprise of ice cream flavor. Targeting vegan ice cream, Zeigeist is naturally producing this sweet dish to help people let go that guilt of having desserts.

Have a picnic at the Rhine Shore: Just around 350 meters away from Zeitgeist, the Metzgerei can be found. Though it specializes in breakfast meals, the Metzgerei serves different picnic baskets (packages) on the go, with blanket rentals, which fit for everyone going to the Rhine Shore for a relaxing meal.

Feel the unique Academic-Majestic mood  in Europe’s second biggest Baroque Palace: Following the Château de Versailles in France, Mannheim’s six-hectare Baroque Palace has been residing in the City for nearly 300 years since its transfer from Heidelberg. Consisting of five wings, the royal’s place has three-storey facades, rupturing four-storey pavilions. As one of the many heavily damaged structures during the Second World War, Mannheim’s Baroque Palace has been reconstructed, recovering its major parts such as the great staircase and the Rittersaal (Knight’s Hall). Currently, Barockschloss Mannheim accepts visitors to see every highlight of the historical palace and embrace the royal life. About 80% of the palace operates as a University, recording impressive academic assets. Standing as the University of Mannheim, it is classified as the most beautiful campus in Germany with over 12,000 students.

Appreciate the Beauty of Varied Music: The Old Fire station in Mannheim. This former fire station is now pleasing the audiences with live world class music performances, with a very inviting café-bar and beer garden. Imagine sipping your favorite coffee or gulping a liter of beer while feeding your soul with a good music.

Another option is usually an elite form of music, the classical music. It might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but visit Rosengarten and it might change or add to your music preference. The Rosengarten is the Concert and Congress Hall that offers other sundry cultural events every month, accommodating over 2,000 guests. Considered as the Music City by UNESCO, you should not miss to experience at least one genre of music in Mannheim.

Do not forget the city’s ‘not-so-ordinary’ landmark: the Wasserturm or the Water tower. Every place has its identity and that makes people easily recall what and how it looks like. In Mannheim, the renowned Wasserturm takes that role, standing 60 meters above the highest point of the Friedrichsplatz. Aside from serving as a meeting point for most of the people, the Water tower used to be a reservoir for drinking water. This Romanesque tower amazes everyone after sunset at it starts to spark with the moving fountains at its foot. An inspiring conclusion for a day, isn’t it? The last but not the least, this Baroque sandstone structure can still astonish you with its meticulously designed open staircase, inviting each of us to glance numerous sculptures, including the Amphritite (Goddess of the Sea).

The ‘City of Everything’. From museums, nature, food, and shopping spots up to endless of stuff, Mannheim can give it; just name it. The city where creations of the old times are still kept and where modernization never stops.

 

Bus station in Mannheim is located at Heinrich -von - Stephan- Straße 6 , 68161 Mannheim . Mannheim is a university city with about 320,000 inhabitants. After Stuttgart , which is the second largest city in the German state of Baden - Wurttemberg . Mannheim is the city of the "square " , which in the 17th century in the area between the castle and the river Neckar planned and built in a grid network of streets . Mannheim offers a huge number of attractions, culture, art and cuisine, events and entertainment, and life styles - in short : the spirit and enjoyment of on the "square". Sensation is also a museum scene Mannheim , which mark the three major museums : the Museum Reiss - Engelhorn , technical Technoseum Museum and Art halls . Bus station in Mannheim comprising sales counters, shop , ATMs , dressing room and bathroom. In front of the bus station will wait for a taxi service .

 

Address: Heinrich -von - Stephan- Straße 6 , 68161 Mannheim

Phone: +49 (0 ) 621 462 59 22