Reviving the Ancient: Small Roman Theatre opens in Pula
- by croatiaweek
- in News
ZAGREB, 5 May (Hina/CW) – Everything is ready for the opening tonight of the Small Roman Theatre in the northern Adriatic city of Pula, one of the biggest cultural projects in the last 20 years, the Archaeological Museum of Istria told a press conference.
The Small Roman Theatre is one of the largest and most significant ancient monuments of the city of Pula. Until about ten years ago, it was used as one of the main city places for cultural activities, but due to damage that was stopped.
The archeological remains of the Small Roman Theatre are located in the centre of Pula, on the eastern slope of Kaštela and are from the 1st century. Only the stage foundations and a part of the semi-circular viewing area remained preserved.
Now that the project is complete, the Small Roman Theatre is an example of excellence in the conservation and reconstruction of cultural heritage, which is the primary goal, but also as a sustainable project of opening significant cultural and historical heritage to users.
The value of the project exceeds €3 million, of which €1.6 million was provided by the Ministry of Culture and Media, €1.1 million came from EU funds, and the rest was contributed by the Archaeological Museum of Istria.
“In addition to the Small Roman Theatre in Pula, we know that there are two more ancient theatres in Croatia — one is also situated in Pula, the so-called Large Roman Theatre, and the other is a Greek theatre on the southern island of Vis. Unfortunately, both are invisible today and cannot be used for cultural events,” said Darko Komšo, Director of the Archaeological Museum of Istria.
The Small Roman Theatre in Pula, which was constructed by the firm ING-GRAD, has a capacity of 1,700 seats, and in order for visitors to circulate more efficiently during events, a total of 6 entrances and exits are provided.
The Small Roman Theatre will be formally opened on Friday with a concert by the Slovenian pop and jazz vocal group Perpetum Jazzile.
The big Pula Arena
Komšo said he was glad that there was a great demand for tickets for the opening, but noted that not more than 1,550 visitors could be admitted for security reasons.
