Nesactium Travel Guide

Nesactium, also known as Nezakcij in Croatian and Nesazio in Italian, is an archaeological site with a captivating history dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Situated on Glavica hill near Valtura, east of Pula, it overlooks a fertile valley and the Budava Bay. This strategic location was once the capital of the Histri, an Iron Age people who inhabited the Istrian peninsula.The Histri were known for their trade and piracy in the ancient Mediterranean Sea. In 177 BC, after years of conflict, the Romans conquered and destroyed Nesactium. The town was later rebuilt, incorporating Roman features such as a forum, temples, and baths. Nesactium remained inhabited until the 6th or 7th century when it was destroyed during barbarian invasions.Today, visitors can explore the conserved architectural remains from the Roman and Late Antiquity periods. Highlights include the remnants of the town's walls, the Porta Polensis (Roman gate), two early Christian basilicas, and a prehistoric necropolis with over 100 graves. The site offers insight into the lives of the Histri and the subsequent Roman influence on the region.