Naval Cemetery, Pula

The Naval Cemetery in Pula (Croatian: Mornaričko groblje, German: K. u. k. Marinefriedhof) is one of the most telling memorial sites in Istria. It lies in the Stoja district and recalls the era when Pula was the main war port of the Austro-Hungarian fleet.

When was the cemetery founded?

The cemetery was established in 1862, when the Ministry of the Navy bought roughly 4,000 square meters of land for it. Some sources give 1866, but 1862 is the better-supported date. Over the following decades the grounds grew considerably and now cover around 22,000 square meters.

Until 1870 the dead were buried in common graves. Individual burials then replaced them, for hygiene reasons.

Who is buried here?

An estimated 150,000 people lie in the cemetery, although that figure is approximate. They include sailors and officers from the many nationalities of the old monarchy. Among those named are victims of the steamship Baron Gautsch, which sank in World War I, and crew members of the battleships Szent István and Viribus Unitis. A Turkish admiral is also buried here, along with victims of World War II.

Protection and restoration

In 1960 the cemetery was declared a protected historical monument. No new burials have taken place since. Restoration began in 1990 with support from the Austrian Red Cross and the German war-graves association, and finished in May 1997. The site is also on the list of monuments protected under the Hague Convention.

Why visit?

The atmosphere is very different from the Roman amphitheatre or the old town. Weathered headstones, rows of crosses and stone plaques with names in several languages show how multinational the Austro-Hungarian navy was. A walk here is quiet and reflective, and it helps you understand how strongly a nineteenth-century fleet shaped the city.

Frequently asked questions

Are burials still held at the cemetery? No. Since the 1960 decision it has been a protected monument and no new burials take place.

When was it founded? The best-documented date is 1862.

How many people are buried here? Sources speak of about 150,000, though this is an estimate.

Has the cemetery been restored? Yes, restoration ran from 1990 to May 1997 with help from organisations in Austria and Germany.

Is the site protected? Yes, as a monument since 1960, and it appears on the list of sites under the Hague Convention.

Pula is a city where military history is as present as antiquity. The Naval Cemetery is its quiet, respectful counterpart and a good stop for anyone interested in World War I and the story of the Adriatic.