Temple of Augustus Collection

About

Set on Pula’s ancient forum, the Temple of Augustus is one of the best‑preserved Roman monuments in Croatia. Built during the reign of Augustus, it survived earthquakes, fires, and even a 1944 bombing. Its elegant façade hides a compact but fascinating lapidarium that reveals how deeply Roman culture shaped the Adriatic coast. Inside, visitors find a curated collection of stone reliefs, inscriptions, and sculptural fragments discovered around Pula. The highlights include finely carved portrait heads from the 1st and 2nd centuries, fragments of decorative friezes, and funerary stelae that offer glimpses into everyday Roman life—merchants, soldiers, and local families immortalised in limestone. One particularly striking piece is a relief showing ritual offerings, a reminder of the temple’s original religious purpose. The interior is small, but its atmosphere is powerful: quiet, cool, and intimate, allowing close study of details often overlooked in larger museums. The combination of original Roman architecture and authentic artefacts makes the visit feel like stepping directly into the city’s ancient past.

Pula Croatia

Location

The Temple of Augustus is a remarkably preserved piece of ancient Rome nestled right in the heart of Pula, Croatia. Dedicated to the first Roman emperor, Augustus, this striking temple features classic Corinthian columns and a timeless stone facade that has survived for over two millennia. Inside its ancient walls, you will find a small but fascinating archaeological collection of Roman stone monuments, bronze sculptures, and classical portrait busts that tell the story of the city's imperial past. Finding this historical treasure is incredibly easy, as it stands proudly in the Forum, which is Pula's main central square. The Forum has been the lively beating heart of the city since Roman times, and it remains a bustling pedestrian area where locals and travelers alike gather to sip coffee and soak in the Mediterranean atmosphere. Because you are already in the historic center, some of Pula's greatest sights are just a short walk away. Right next to the temple sits the Communal Palace, a beautiful thirteenth-century town hall built directly over the remains of another ancient temple. If you wander down the cobblestone streets for a few minutes, you will encounter the Arch of the Sergii, a grand Roman triumphal arch that serves as a gateway to the old town’s shopping district. Of course, no trip to Pula is complete without visiting the world-famous Pula Arena.