[3] The venue was built to host the 1979 Mediterranean Games and was opened by then Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito.

[5] Its trademark is a seashell-like design by Croatian architect Boris Magaš with a roof structure spanning at 206×47 meters.

Its design offers views of nearby hills and forests from the stands, modelled after ancient Greek theaters.

Suspended on the west roof "shell" are 19 cabins, 7 of them are used by TV reporters, with the others occupied by cameras, central referee station, photo finish, scoreboard, audio control, etc.

Stands are supported by a construction of reinforced concrete with entrances via 12 bridges placed 30–40 meters apart around the entire stadium as well as eight staircases.

[7] In October 2014, following heavy damage from Ultra Europe, a new pitch and drainage system were constructed, replacing the original ones that lasted for 35 years.