Bus from RUMA to PULA

Ruma is a town and municipality located in the Srem District of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia. 

The question of the meaning of the name Ruma has not been resolved. Most probably, it is about the oriental origin that came to these regions with the Turks, but it does not exclude the possibility to date from even older times.

Ruma is located near the southern slopes of Fruška gora, at an elevation of 111 meters. It is characterized by a flatland configuration of the terrain, a fertile land and the gentle landscapes of central Srem.

The lack of a large water course successfully compensated for the three Roman streams (Borkovački, Kudoški and Jelenački), which found a place in the coat of arms of the city, and in the early seventies, artificial lake Borkovac was built in the immediate vicinity of Ruma, accumulated from the same stream.

Cultural life in the city takes place under the auspices of several cultural institutions. The Cultural Center, the Regional Museum and the City Library regularly hold cinema and theater performances, concerts, book promotions, art exhibitions and other cultural events, among which the most important is the Festival of Music Associations of Vojvodina.

The Youth Council of Ruma plays the most important role in the cultural and artistic life of young people in Ruma. It is an association of organizations dealing with youth: Scout Scout, Ruma City Theater, Ruma Youth Literature Youth, Cancer Society of the Municipality of Ruma and Association of Artists of the Municipality of Ruma.

The largest number of people is employed in industry and agriculture. As a traditional agricultural region, Ruma still has a solid basis for the development of this activity, either through the individual sector, or through appropriate industrial branches (food, leather, wood, the agricultural tire industry).

Ruma also has a long tradition in trade, and in this respect is certainly the most famous Romanian fair held every third of the month. Unfortunately, the craft, which was once also a trademark of the Ruma, gradually dies and moves into history.

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.