Pula Cathedral, Pula

Pula Cathedral is located on the south side of Pula bay at the base of the hill of Pula Castle. This particular site has been used for religious practices since ancient times. The Roman temple of Jupiter Conservator was here and the Roman hot baths. During the reign of Diocletian, Christians used the site for their secret meetings.

The first Christian church appeared in the 4th century. It could would fit into the present Cathedral's nave. The second was the single-nave church of Saint Thomas. Both of these were combined into a Hall church and later changed into a three nave basilica with an apse in the facade. The rear of the church was perfectly flat.

The Cathedral had frescoes and floor mosaics. Only a small section of the floor mosaic is available today. It has the names "Damianus and Lavrentia", who were the couple paid for the inscription on their wedding day.

In 1860 a stone sarcophagus was discovered in the church. Inside was a silver box. Inside the silver box was a golden reliquary holding relics of Saint Thomas the Apostle. Today the relics can be seen at the Art History Museum of Vienna. In 1707 the free standing Baroque bell tower was built next to the baptistry.

In 1712, under the supervision of Bishop Bottari, extensive reconstruction was carried out on the basilica's facade and the bell tower. The cathedral was damaged in World War II but it was repaired by 1947.