Inside Istria’s Dazzling New Wine Museum Where History Pours From Every Wall

In the old core of Pula, in the building of the former bank on Sergijevaca Street, is the first Istrian Wine Museum – a new cultural and tourist space that presents the rich wine heritage of this region in a modern, interdisciplinary, and interactive way. Located in one of Pula‘s busiest locations, the museum brings a new dimension to the experience of Istria – a region that has built its identity on the grapevine, the effort of winemakers, and the taste in the glass for centuries.

Grand opening of the museum

Hassan Abdelghani

The museum is the result of years of work and collaboration between experts in the fields of history, ethnology, viticulture, and tourism, as well as curators and conservators. Through an attractive and content-rich display, visitors can follow the development of Istrian winemaking – from ancient beginnings, through medieval customs, all the way to today‘s modern wine scene.

Original Items

Numerous original items from ancient times are on display, as well as old barrels, presses, bottles, and tools once used in vineyards and cellars. Documents, old labels, and photographs testify to a time when wine was an integral part of everyday life, family, and identity. The museum does not just offer a look into the past – through multimedia presentations, interactive content, and soundscapes, the visitor actively participates in a story that stretches across centuries.

The museum is located in the old core of Pula

Hassan Abdelghani

Special attention is given to key wine varieties that shape the Istrian region – malvasia and teran – as well as modern winemaking approaches that today position Istria as one of Europe‘s leading wine regions. The sensory room introduces visitors to the scents and colors of wine, the forms of terroir, vineyard vistas, and the structure of the vine and soil, with a central totem and sculpture of a teran vine from a century-old vineyard.

A Space That Celebrates Knowledge

The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The ticket price is 12 euros, and guided tours and organized tastings of local producers‘ wines are also offered with prior notice.

The Istrian Wine Museum is not just a collection of items – it is a space that celebrates the knowledge, work, and heritage of grape growers and winemakers. Its strength lies in the connection between tradition and modernity, past and present, education and enjoyment. With the newly opened museum, Pula has gained an important new cultural center, and the Istrian wine story – a space it deserves.