Fažana

Fažana (Croatian; pronounced [faʒǎna]) or Fasana (Italian; pronounced [faˈzaːna]) is a village and a municipality on the southwestern coast of Istria in Croatia. It is a fishing village.

Name

Fažana, which in Roman times carried the name of Vasianum and then Phasiana, derives its name from the presence in Roman times of ceramic and terracotta manufactures such as vases, tiles and amphorae. Its name and meaning thereof is also reflected in the coat of arms of the town, an amphora.

History

Roman times

Fažana is a village of Roman origin. Its territory was part of the Roman Empire by 177 BC. It belonged to the Roman colony of Pula, both politically and administratively. During Roman times, Fažana was an important economic center of the Ancient Roman civilization. Its importance during Roman times was due to its manufactures, production of olive oil and later amphorae. The Ancient Roman factory of Fasana, located in the old center of the town, was noted for its production of ceramics and bricks. The production of amphorae started during the latter part of the reign of Augustus, and lasted until the second century AD. In these amphorae were stored the local products, such as grain, salted fish and, most importantly, the Istrian oil and wine, the two most valuable products of the Istrian peninsula during Roman times.