Steel and glass were used to build this market and at the time this was the newest building material. Today the building hosts the market and at the back of the building you can find Pula’s open vegetable market. This is also something very interesting for Pula’s visitors to see.

Before entering the Old Town I would advise you to visit two other Austro-Hungarian buildings: Marine Casino and Offiziersvilla. Marine Casino is located down the hill of “Monte Zaro”, nearby Pula’s theatre building. Right above the place were Marine Casino is located there was a big and magnificent Roman theatre named “Theatrum Juliae”.

This huge impressive theatre was built in the 1st century by Vespasianus. Nothing is left from that important building because the theatre stones were used to construct other buildings and now a residential building stands there. 

The theatre’s original appearance is partially known because of some old drawings.

The main façade of the theatre was almost 100 meters long. The orchestra had a 25 meters radius and the auditorium had two storeys. This was another of Pula’s representative buildings that left Andrea Palladio and Serlio greatly impressed during their visit to Pula in the 16th century.

Serlio’s drawings have been preserved and thanks to his material we have an idea about the beauty of this place. Later on, at the beginning of the 17th century, the stone blocks of the theatre were used by Anthony De Ville to built the Kastel fortress. Whereas the columns of this theatre were used to build St. Mark’s Library and the Church of Our Lady of Health in Venice.

Marine Casino was built in 1872 as a place of entertainment and leisure for Austro-Hungarian officers and their families. After the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy every other regime continued to use this building for its officers: Italy, Yugoslavia and today Croatia.

From the market you ought to take the street parallel to “Flanaticka Street”. “Flanaticka Street”is the street you take from the Golden Gate to get to the market. This parallel street is named Premanturska. At the end of “Premanturska street”, on the left side, right at the corner, you will see the theatre building. On the other side of the street you will see a huge garden with a big building. This is the Marine Casino.

It is a very nice building where concerts and other cultural events are also held. If you visit the front façade you will see how interesting this building is. It is also very nice and elegant inside. If you stand in front of the main façade and take a look at the building found on your right side, you will note the neo-classical façade of the Offiziersvilla erected in 1877. This building was also the headquarters of the Yachtgeschwader (the Imperial and Royal Yacht Squadron established by the Austro-Hungarian naval officers in 1891).

The building that you see right in front of the Marine Casino building on Dante's square is Pula’s Postal office. The main façade of this building is found on the opposite site.

The Postal office building was erected during the Fascist period and if you are interested in architecture I recommend you enter the building and take a look at how the stairs are made. It is surely artwork but the guardian of the Postal office did not allow me to take the picture so you will not find it in the photo gallery. Between the entrance of the Postal office and the Marine Casino there is a small square with the fountain.

Behind the fountain you will note the Church of Our Lady of Mercy from 1388. On the right side of the church there is a side door where you’ll find St. Mark’s Lion with an open book and two coats of arms on each side.

A few meters from the Church you will be on “Sergi Street” again. You can turn left and continue the tour. This street will lead you towards the main square of the Old Town, also named Foro Square.