Bus from PULA to ULM

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.

Ulm has a lot to offer both inside and outside its city limits. Here, for example, an impressive mix of architecture meets historic sites and numerous gardens and parks. These are ideally complemented by great museums, theaters and collections of world class. The most popular Ulm attractions can be found in the city center.

High, higher, Ulm Münster! With 162 m, the Ulm Cathedral has the highest church tower in the world. At the same time the Ulm Cathedral is the largest Protestant church in Germany. The construction of the imposing church began in 1377 and spread over a period of 500 years. The profane reason for this: In 1543 the money for the further construction was missing. However, church construction was nearly completed by this year. To this day, it has been preserved in its original substance.

The Fishing Village (Fischerviertel): The talk is about the fishmonger Ulm, which is the most important old town complex in Ulm. Situated at the mouth of the Blue River in the Danube, the fishing village enchants with half-timbered architecture, old alleys and winding passages, as well as its numerous bridges. Once upon a time, craftsmen, whose work was related to the water, lived and worked here. Among them were Fischer, Gerber, Seifensieder or Müller.

Architecture: Opposites attract! If the city houses impressive historical buildings on the one hand, it shows an exciting architectural interplay with super-modern buildings on the other side. Ulm's town center, for example, is home to historic buildings such as the Town Hall, the Market Square and the Ulm Cathedral. On the other hand, there are modern buildings such as the White Town Hall and the pyramidal, glassy Central library.

Ulms Museums: If you are going on a trip to Ulm on the Danube, you will be surprised by the range of museums and exhibitions. For example, you can get an insight into the age of primordial and early history or the art of modernity in the cultural institutions of the city. To choose one of the museums in Ulm is anything but easy. How about visiting the Museum of Bread Culture? It gives you an exciting insight into the importance of grain and bread for the cultural development of mankind. A focus is on the depiction of the lack of bread or its history and present.

The Crooked House from the 15th / 16th century, the best-known house in the old town of Ulm, is located in the Fishermen's quarter on the banks of river Blue.According to the Guinness Book of Records, this building lodges, since 1995, the "most crooked hotel" of the world. After a complex renovation, it is corrected and secured in its crooked position.

The Town Hall Ulm: It is located close to the Ulm Cathedral and can be recognized by its impressive exterior paintings from the early Renaissance period. The paintings depict doctrinal representations of commandments, virtues and vices, dating back to 1900. In fact, they are considerably older. However, they had to be re-applied because of the weather.

Einstein Fountain: Once Ulmer, always Ulmer! One of the most famous sons of Ulm is none other than Albert Einstein. On March 14, 1879, the world-famous genius was born in Ulm. Although Einstein lived only 15 months in the city, he felt that he will be connected with the city even after his death.

The Danube Aquarium: A visit to the zoo with Danube Aquarium should not be missing on your to-do list of the most exciting attractions in Ulm. In the zoo you can marvel at more than 2,000 animals up close. There are numerous native species as well as exotic inhabitants to admire. When visiting the zoo, for example, you will discover arrowgift frogs and iguanas. In the tropical house, monkeys, crocodiles and colorful birds await you.

A holiday in Ulm is more than worthwhile. The Donube city is the right place for adventurers and explorers as well as for culture and nature fans. These most popular Ulm attractions promises you a colorful mix that shows how versatile the city is. Therefore you can look forward to an impressive combination of tradition and modernity, from history and innovation as well as exciting experience.