Pula Self-Guided Quest: Shadows of the Empire

One of the world's six surviving Roman amphitheaters rises above Pula's skyline — but the city's layers run much deeper. In this self-guided walking quest, move through 2,700 years of contested history: Roman arches, Austro-Hungarian underground tunnels, a Venetian hilltop fortress, and a harbor shaped by empire after empire. Start anytime, no guide needed, ~2 hours, ~2.7 km through the old city. Using the free Questo app, solve real-world puzzles at 10 historical landmarks — from the Arch of the Sergii, one of Rome's oldest surviving triumphal arches, to the hilltop Kastel fortress with panoramic views across the Adriatic. Along the way, uncover stories that don't appear in any guidebook: the Irish literary giant who despised the city, the naval attack on a ship that had already surrendered, and the beach massacre that emptied a town. Pula rewards the curious. This quest is designed to reveal it. Suitable for families, couples, and solo travelers. Difficulty: easy.