Fulfinum's
forum is located in the far north-western parto f town, certainly on the edge
of one of the main roads that ran almost in straight line following the
coastline orientation through the area of the whole settlement, and probably
further in the direction of Krk, across the sites of Mohorov and Njivice.
The
main town square evidently possessed all those buildings that were needed for
the basic functioning of the town, according to the Roman pattern. In the
mature phase, dated back to the end of 1st century, in its central part (but secluded
along the north-western edge of the forum area that occupied 1300 m2), stood the
main forum temple, dedicated or to the capitoline triad, i.e. three major
deities of the Roman religion Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, or possible to the
emperors of Rome.
The
temple of simple features, with only four columns in front and a simple
internal cella raised to a height of about one meter above the walking surface
of the forum, was surrounded by a consecrated area formed by the perimeter
forum walls on the western and the northern sides, and the portico wall on the
eastern side. Along the western, longer side of the forum a series of rooms –
taverns – were located, in which, surely, one could not have enetered directly
from forum, but from the opposite side facing the sea. A very long building
with only three smallish room sin its northern part, preceded by a large
internal open courtyard bordered by two porticos, was located in the eastern
paret of trhe forum. One could enter into the mentioned area through the doors
opened in the wall that bordered the area of the forum from that side. Finally,
the entrance to the forum area was marked by a portico above which the the
inscription of votive character was erected.
After
the already mentioned mature phase, forum of the town of Fulfinum will
experience larger changes in the period of the 3rd century, with the
construction of the intimate square on the north side of the main temple, and
in its centre a constructed base was found on which a monument certainly stood
– a statue or inscription – which is unfortunately completely lost. In the
period before the final abandonment of the forum, and the town itself, certain
areas have been ''privatised''. At the forum, the symbol of public space of the
Roman town, light wooden structures appear, thus proving the loss of the
original function of the square.