Worshippers at a Roman Catholic music festival and open-air service shelter under umbrellas on the terraces or cavea of the Pula Arena at Pula, Istria County, Croatia. The amphitheatre, among the six largest surviving ancient Roman arenas, was built to hold up to 23,000 people, but the terraces can now seat only about 7,000. Pula Arena, now a major music venue, has staged concerts by Foo Fighters, Luciano Pavarotti, Elton John, Sting, Leonard Cohen and David Gilmour.
Image details
Contributor:
Terence Kerr / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
2PHKE1JFile size:
24.7 MB (1.8 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
3600 x 2400 px | 30.5 x 20.3 cm | 12 x 8 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
3 June 2007Location:
Pula Arena, Pula, Istria County, Croatia.More information:
This image could have imperfections as it’s either historical or reportage.
Pula, Istria County, Croatia: worshippers at a Roman Catholic open-air service and music festival shelter under umbrellas and parasols on the stone terraces or cavea of the Pula Arena, one of the world’s six largest surviving ancient Roman arenas. The elliptical amphitheatre was designed to seat up to 23, 000 citizens of the regional capital of Colonia Pietas Julia Pollentia Herculanea, but the terraces can now seat only about 7, 000. Pula Arena is the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers and to preserve all three of the main ancient architectural orders (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian) in its structure. Each tower had two cisterns filled with perfumed water that either fed a fountain or could be sprinkled on the crowd. The limestone exterior wall rises to 29.4 metres (96.5 ft), with the two lower floors each pierced by 72 arches. The top floor has 64 rectangular openings. An original timber amphitheatre built under Emperor Augustus (2-14 AD), was replaced during the reign of Claudius by a small stone arena. It was enlarged by Vespasian to allow gladiator fights and completed in 81 AD by Titus. It remained in use until the 5th century, when gladiatorial combat was banned, and was then plundered for its cut stone. Restoration work began in the early 1800s and today, Pula Arena is a major concert venue. Past performers have included Foo Fighters, Luciano Pavarotti, Elton John, Sting, Leonard Cohen and David Gilmour. D0357.A4254