The Small Roman Theatre, along with Pula's Amphitheatre and Large Roman Theatre, was one of the three public entertainment venues in antiquity period Pula. It was built in the early Augustan period, specifically in the third quarter of the 1st century BCE, on the eastern and northeastern slopes of the city's central hill.

It was built of local Istrian limestone, with the lower walls clad in marble and the upper sections rendered and painted (and likely frescoed). It is semi-circular, with an auditorium partially carved into the bedrock of the slope and the actor's quarters and stage at the flat area.

While the exterior was likely plain and undecorated, the stage was richly adorned with pilasters, columns, architraves, arches, and possibly sculptures. Parts of the stage, such as architraves and capitals, were decorated with geometric patterns and vegetal motifs.

Once abandoned it was gradually covered by soil deposits and was only uncovered in the course of archaeological excavations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was only during investigations in 1911 that conservator and archaeologist Anton Gnirs realised it was a theatre; until then, the northern entrance to the theatre was believed to be the surviving approach to the citadel (capitolium).

The theatre was excavated and conserved on multiple occasions in the course of the 20th century, and took on its present form following extensive interventions in 2021 to 2022. These works made it possible to almost fully appreciate the original height and auditorium seating arrangement.

The renovated theatre hosts art, music, and drama performances. Beyond the events on the stage and in the theatre's orchestra, spectators are also engaged by the enhanced experience provided by the large screen installed on the back of the Archaeological Museum of Istria building.

The Small Roman Theatre before reconstruction

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Events

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Reconstruction of the Small Roman Theatre

The Archaeological Museum of Istria won approval for co-funding of the Conservation and Reconstruction of the Small Roman Theatre - Pula project in the frame of an open call for the Revitalization of Cultural Heritage in the Urban Area of Pula funded through the European Regional Development Fund. The project, valued at HRK 17,852,732.44, was implemented from 15 January 2020 to 15 February 2022, with co-funding covering 49.82%, or HRK 8,500,000.00, of costs, provided through the Competitiveness and Cohesion operational programme.

The content of published/broadcast material is the sole responsibility of the Archaeological Museum of Istria.

For more information about the project,  visit www.strukturnifondovi.hr or contact us via email at arheoloski-muzej-istre@pu.t-com.hr.