The very first settlement of ancient Fasano was Casale di Santa Maria de Fajano, built in 1088 by those who had left Egnazia ruins.
Last among Messapians towns bordering Japigia, in Roman times Egnazia was one of the most important stops along the historical Route Appia-Traiana, on the way to Brindisi. Rich also because of its port, Egnazia is quoted by Strabo and Horace.
After the fall of Roman Empire the inexorable decadence of Egnazia begins: gradually abandoned by its inhabitants, it was widely sacked by Apulia invaders.
Mostly due to safety reasons, the peoples gradually left the coastal villages and started settling down in rupestral hamlets, building new houses. Precisely one of these is Santa Maria de Fajano, which will become the present-day Fasano.
The history of this tiny hamlet is like that of all other small villages in this area of Apulia Region, troubled by several dominations and armies in the course of the times.
In 14th century Fasano becomes a Knights of Malta’s feud and on June 2nd, 1678, the people of Fasano finally get their glorious revenge: the Victory against Turkish!
Records of that time tell Our Lady appeared in the skies leading the citizens’ resistance. The victory was such memorable that from that day on the historical event is celebrated with the “Scamiciata”, a commemorative parade held on Saint Patrons John the Baptist and St. Mary of Pozzo Faceto Day.
Also devotion to the Protectress is bound to a legend: it is told some peasants have miraculously found the image of the Virgin painted on a stone while they were digging a well in a tiny village with the homonym sanctuary (present-day Pozzo Faceto nearby hamlet). Since then, Our Lady of Pozzo Faceto is widely worshipped and became Protectress of Fasano.
In 1799 Fasano pays its tribute to the Neapolitan Republic with Ignazio Ciaia, who, for few days before his violent death, is one of the triumvirs heading the fortunes of the Republic in Naples.
Today Fasano is a tourist town of deep agriculture and crafts tradition.
