What is hidden in the amphora?
Fažana is one of the few places in Istria that once had an amphora workshop.
Amphorae were the first known containers used for transporting food products. They featured two handles for easy carrying and a narrow neck for secure transportation. Their pointed bottoms allowed them to be stacked efficiently by embedding them in sand—either in ship cargo holds or cellars.
Trade was mostly conducted by sea, and many amphorae ended up at the bottom of the sea due to shipwrecks.
WINE
Ancient records and chemical analyses of amphorae confirm that wine was produced, consumed, and exported from Istria. It travelled across the Adriatic to Greece and beyond, even reaching Pannonia through the Julian Alps.
OLIVE OIL
The Fažana-type amphora was primarily used for transporting olive oil, which was produced in abundance in this region.
GARUM
Garum was a popular fermented fish sauce in Roman times. Made from fish scraps, it often included mackerel, sardines, and anchovies.
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