Fasano

Fasano (Italian pronunciation: [faˈzaːno]; Barese: Fasciànë) is a town and comune in the Province of Brindisi, Apulia, southern Italy. It is the second most populated town of the province after Brindisi, and has a population (2016) of 40,227.[2]

For people with the surname Fasano, see Fasano (surname).
Fasano
Comune
Comune di Fasano
Balì Palace
Coat of arms
Fasano within the Province of Brindisi
Location of Fasano
Fasano
Location of Fasano in Italy
Fasano
Fasano (Apulia)
Coordinates: 40°50′N 17°22′E
CountryItaly
RegionApulia
ProvinceBrindisi (BR)
FrazioniCanale di Pirro, Laureto, Montalbano, Pezze di Greco, Pozzo Faceto, Savelletri, Selva di Fasano, Speziale, Torre Canne, Torre Spaccata
Government
 • MayorFrancesco Zaccaria
Area
 • Total128 km2 (49 sq mi)
Elevation
111 m (364 ft)
Population
 (31 March 2018)[2]
 • Total39,711
 • Density310/km2 (800/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Fasanesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
72015, 72010
Dialing code080
Patron saintMadonna del Pozzo e San Giovanni Battista
Saint dayThird Sunday in June
WebsiteOfficial website
St. Lawrence Abbey
Fasano station building

History
See also: Gnatia

According to a folk etymology, the name Fasano derives from the "Faso", a large wild columbus dove (also represented on the civic coat of arms) which drank from the fogge, which was a type of swamp or pool in the open air formed from the water that flowed down from the surrounding hills. This area where the pool once was is now a communal garden.

Via Appia, the road used to go from Brindisi to Rome during ancient times runs along Fasano's costal frazioni, including Savelletri and is visible today.

Geography

Location

It marks the border between the Salento and the Metropolitan City of Bari. It lies about 50 kilometres (31 mi) from all three of the provincial capitals in Apulia, namely Bari, Taranto and Brindisi.

The municipality borders with Alberobello (BA), Cisternino, Locorotondo (BA), Monopoli (BA) and Ostuni.[3] It counts the hamlets (frazioni) of Canale di Pirro, Laureto, Montalbano, Pezze di Greco, Pozzo Faceto, Savelletri, Selva di Fasano, Speziale, Torre Canne and Torre Spaccata.

Environment

Fasano is situated in an extended area with secular olive trees and its territory extends from hills to the sea with rich Mediterranean vegetation.

Coming down from hills the town of Fasano occupies a dominant position in the valley which then leads down to the sea: coastal resorts include Savelletri with its beaches, the archaeological digs at Gnatia and a golf course and the quaint fishing town of Torre Canne. The coast is characterized by a peaceful atmosphere that prevails despite growing tourism.

Around Fasano are Pezze di Greco, Montalbano, Speziale and Pozzo Faceto, centres of secular olive cultivation; and a range of medieval fortified masserie, or farmhouses, aimed at agricultural tourism.

Population

Main sights

Religious
  • Archaeological Park of Egnatia, an Ancient Italic city and former bishopric Egnazia Appula
  • Church of San Giovanni Battista (Chiesa Matrice), built in the 17th century.
  • Tempietto di Seppannibale, an early Christian church
  • The minaret of Fasano, an Islamic-style construction from 1918.

Other
  • Dolmen of Montalbano
  • Torrione delle Fogge, the last remaining tower of the original eleven ones.
  • The Selva di Fasano, today a garden with villas
  • Original trulli houses
  • Fasanolandia, the first zoo safari of its kind in Europe

Transport

Fasano station is an important stop, both for regional and long-distance trains, on the Adriatic railway. The SS 16 highway "Adriatica" Padova-Otranto serves the town with two exits, "Fasano" and "Savelletri".

Sport

The A.S. Fasano is the town's football club, and its home ground is the Vito Curlo Stadium. The local handball clubs are the Junior Fasano and Roberto Serra Fasano.

Personalities

See also

References
  1. "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Istat. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. (in Italian) Source: Istat 2016
  3. 40778 Fasano on OpenStreetMap
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