Pula Communal Palace

Pula Communal Palace is the city hall of Pula, Croatia, and it has housed the local government for centuries. It stands on Forum Square, right in the heart of the city, and combines a medieval civic institution with the remains of the Roman Forum it grew out of.

What is the Pula Communal Palace?

It is the seat of the City of Pula's local government. Wikidata describes it simply as the city hall of Pula, and Wikipedia notes that the local authorities sit there on Forum Square. So this is not only a monument to admire from outside but a working administrative building where the city's daily business still takes place.

Where is it and how do you find it?

The palace is on Forum Square in the centre of the old town, around coordinates 44.870 N, 13.842 E. The square was the heart of Roman Pula, where religious, administrative, legislative and commercial life came together for centuries. Today it is one of the easiest spots in the city to find, because most walking routes lead to it.

How does it connect to the Roman temples?

The northern side of the Roman Forum was lined with three temples. Only the Temple of Augustus survives in full, dated between 2 BC and AD 14 and dedicated to the goddess Roma and the emperor Augustus. In the 13th century the back wall of a second temple was built into the Communal Palace, and it is still visible today. That is one of the most intriguing details of the building: a Roman wall serving as part of a medieval structure.

What is its history?

Sources give different dates, but the 13th century is the most common, including 1296, when Pula became a free municipality. The palace therefore emerged as a symbol of municipal self-government and has kept that basic role ever since.

The neighbouring Temple of Augustus had a turbulent fate. It was converted into a church, destroyed by a bomb in 1944, and then rebuilt stone by stone. On a single square you can see two different ways the city has treated its ancient heritage.

Is it worth a visit?

Yes, especially if you enjoy seeing antiquity and the Middle Ages layered in one place. Combine it with a look at the Temple of Augustus and a stroll around the Forum. Photographers will like the view that frames the palace facade and the Roman temple together, since the two buildings share the same square.

Frequently asked questions

Does the city government still work in the Communal Palace? Yes, it is home to Pula's local government.

Where exactly is it? On Forum Square in the centre of Pula.

What period is it from? The 13th century, incorporating the back wall of a Roman temple.

What else is nearby? The Temple of Augustus, the best preserved of the Forum's three temples, rebuilt after the 1944 bombing.

Do you need a ticket to see it from outside? Forum Square is a public space, so you can view the facade on an ordinary walk.