POLA, !WM. The ehief naval station of Aus tria-Hungary, with one of the finest harbors in Europe, in the Crownland of Istria, on the Adri atic Sea, about 53 miles south of Triest (Map: Austria. C 4). The bay, which is thoroughly sheltered, is spacious enough to accommodate a very large fleet. The town is strongly fortified by walls and a citadel, overlooking the bay. The en trance to the bay is commanded by two forts and by various other fortifications on the islands in the bay and on its shores. Ilere are the dockyards, dry docks, and repair shops of the Austrian navy, the headquarters of the Admiral ty, a hydrograidne bureau, and various technieal institutions. The town has several very impos ing Roman remains. among which are the well preset ved temple of Augustus and Roma, the colossal Imperial amphitheatre, which could seat 25.000 persons, anti the Porta Aurea, a sumptuous triumphal arch, dating from the beginning of the Christian Era. The Marine Casino and the Monte
Zan). with the fine statue to Admiral TegetthofT. form a delightful pleasure resort. Pola is an im portant commereial port. It has grown from II00 inhabitants in 1851 to 45.052 in 1000 (in chiding 71157 on garison duty). About 40 per cent. of the population are Italians, the rest being mainly Serbu-Croats and Germans.
Pola is of very ancient, origin. It was de stroyed by .Julius Caesar, but rebuilt by Augus tus at the request of his daughter Julia. from whom.it obtained its name, Pietas Julia. It was a station of the naval fleet and bore the name of Republiea Polensis. It was taken by the Vene tians in the middle of the twelfth century, and was destroyed in the struggle between Venice and Genoa. Its present prosperity dates from about 1S55.