The town's name derives from the Greek word "pùle" (pass). Municipality in the province of Cagliari in Southern Sardinia, on the border with the province of Carbonia-Iglesias, Pula is a very populous town, whose inhabitants are mainly devoted to agriculture and tourism, where, more than any other similar location, history and art brilliantly combine with the untouched nature and beautiful beaches that alternate with rocky coves and bays. The municipal territories include the remains of the ancient Phoenician city of Nora with its homonymous lagoon and the large mountain area of Sulcis. Departure point for memorable excursions, through the forests of the hinterland to Punta Sebera, from where it is possible to admire a beautiful panorama over the entire district.
In the VIII century B.C. the Phoenicians settled here, as evidenced by the ruins of the city of Nora located on the promontory of Cape Pula, which later was inhabited by the Carthaginians, who increased the economic and commercial importance of the area. The Romans colonized the territories in year 238 B.C., choosing this point on the coast thanks to the easy landing possibilities. Nora went through a period of decline in the V century due to the presence of pirates and was finally abandoned in the VIII century A.D. because excessively vulnerable to these continuous raids. The town center of Pula was founded in the Middle Ages, and although there are no links with Nora, one can safely say that the new settlement is the successor of the former. It was conquered by the Aragonese and granted in fief to various local noble lords. It was incorporated into the County of Quirra and, in the XVII century, thanks to reclamation of marshlands for agriculture, the town received a new impulse given by the religious communities who had settled in the nearby and had a remarkable development.
Attractions:
- the XII century Church of Sant'Efisio, where the Saint was martyred;
- the XIX century Church of San Giovanni Battista;
- early XIX century Villa Santa Maria, built by architect Cima on the site of the homonymous church;
- the ruins of Nora, the first city founded by the Phoenicians in Sardinia. Well preserved are the remains of the theater, the temple of the goddess Tanit, the Forum, the baths and several mosaic floors; - - the Lagoon of Nora with the Environmental Education Center, which in the Acquarium collects several marine species;
- the Museum Patroni which houses archaeological finds from Nora;
- the Museum of Norace famous for its mineral and numismatic collections;
- the Tower of Coltellazzo;
- the beaches.