Nesactium near Pula

Nesactium is an ancient hill fort settlement, which is considered to be the oldest urban settlement in Istria. The town is settled about 10 km north of Pula, next to Valtura and Pula Airport. The site itself is located above Bay of Budava, and it is well protected by its steep hills. Nesactium is first mentioned as the main settlement of the Histri, the oldest people on the peninsula, which were the eponym for Istria. Livy was the first who mentioned Nesactium, and the altar dedicated to Emperor Gordian from the 3^rd century, where “Res Republica Nesactiensium” is mentioned, confirmed the actual existence of this city. The search for the city has begun in 1900, when P. Kandler first put together the toponym Vizače with ancient Nesactium.

Nesactium near Pula

Today, this a valuable and important archeological site surrounded with 800 meter long walls and necropolis at its entrance. Many artefacts has been found, such as ceramics, urns, jewelry, kettles, fans… which prove that Nesactium really was the center and capitol of the culture of Histri.
Romans have conquered and demolished the town in 177 BC. After the fall of Nesactium, the town falls under the shadow of more developed Pula. Part of the Histri is being romanized, and the place is being settled by new residents. In the time of Augustus, a new town is built on this location, including a new square – forum, baths, three temples, two early-Christian Basilica and residential buildings. Objects of great artistic value prove the fact that during Roman ruling, Nesactium was on a high cultural level. At that time, Nesactium has become a well-fortified city, and the main entrance from Pula was called “Porta Polensis”.
The legend of king Epulon is also connected with the fall of Nesactium into Roman authority. After long siege of the town, the Histri couldn’t defend the city anymore, so they decided to commit suicide. The defenders in the city first killed their families, and then themselves. The end of Histri rule in Nesactium has ended with the suicide of king Epulon, who killed himself so he wouldn’t fall into Roman hands, and thus he became the symbol of the resistance of the Histri.

During time, Roman authority has become weak, and thus certain changes have occurred. Lavish Roman baths were rebuilt to residential and commerce buildings. In the 5^th century, southern part of the town is reconstructed with monumental cultic structures. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Nesactium is under heavy barbaric attacks, which mark its total destruction.
 
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Nesactium near Pula