Pula Arena under pressure: concerts spark fears for ancient monument

Pula Arena

As the new concert season approaches in Pula, growing criticism is emerging over the management and use of its iconic Roman amphitheatre, HRT reports.

The Pula Arena, one of the best-preserved ancient structures in the world and over 2,000 years old, is increasingly being used as a large-scale concert venue. However, experts and officials warn that such events may be placing the monument at serious risk.

The installation of heavy technical equipment, construction of stages and bars, noise levels, and large visitor numbers have all been cited as potential threats to the structural integrity of the Arena.

In response, the City of Pula has introduced new regulations aimed at reducing strain on the site. Among the key measures is a cap on attendance, limiting concerts to a maximum of 8,000 visitors.

Heritage or commercial venue?

The debate centres on a fundamental question: should the Arena primarily serve as a cultural heritage site or a commercial event space?

Pula Mayor Peđa Grbin has made it clear that the venue remains open to a wide range of performers, provided they respect constitutional values.

“If you spread hate or promote ideas against the Constitution and the city’s principles of anti-fascism, bilingualism and equality, then you will not perform in the Arena,” Grbin stated.

This summer’s programme includes popular regional artists such as Haris Džinović and Severina, reflecting a broad and commercially driven line-up.

Not all agree with the current approach. Archaeologist and academic Robert Matijašić argues that large-scale concerts are inappropriate for such a sensitive historical site.

He believes the Arena should be reserved primarily for tourism and educational purposes rather than mass entertainment events.

“We are all chasing profit, but the key question is whether we prioritise revenue or preservation,” he noted.

Measures to reduce impact

According to Darko Komšo, director of the Archaeological Museum of Istria, the biggest risks come from the movement of equipment and sound vibrations.

To mitigate this, a single contractor will be appointed to install and remove the stage structure—referred to as the “roof”, throughout the season. This aims to significantly reduce the number of entries and exits of heavy equipment.

Pula Arena

Some of the names performing at Pula Arena this summer include Lenny Kravitz, Ricky Martin, John Legend, Lorde, Judas Priest, Sting and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds to name a few.

UNESCO ambitions remain unmet

Despite its global significance, the Pula Arena has twice failed in bids for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Unofficially, past structural interventions, particularly during a 1985 renovation, are believed to have contributed to the unsuccessful applications.

Today, while often described as one of the world’s most spectacular open-air summer stages, experts stress that the Arena’s primary identity remains that of a protected cultural monument requiring the highest level of care.

As Croatia continues to promote cultural tourism, the challenge facing Pula is finding a sustainable balance between economic opportunity and heritage preservation.

With increasing scrutiny and new regulations now in place, the coming concert season may prove pivotal in determining the future role of one of the country’s most treasured landmarks.