Constanta County - Tulcea CountyHotels in Constanta - Travel Agencies in Constanta - Rent a car in ConstantaOther zones : Crisana and Banat - Maramures - Moldova and Bucovina - Muntenia and Oltenia - Transylvania
GENERAL INFO
- geographical situation: it is situated in the south-eastern part of Romania, between the Danube and the Black Sea, in the south of Dobrudja;
- neighbours: in the east-the Black Sea; in the west-Ialomita the north, Tulcea; in the south- Bulgaria;
- surface: 7,071 square km;
- population: 746,000 inhabitants;
- towns: CONSTANTA capital of the county (with 348,000 inhabitants, big harbour of the country, industrial, trade, cultural and university centre, spa and famous archaeological point); Basarabi; Cernavoda Eforie; Mangalia; Navodari; Negru Voda; Ovidiu; Techirghiol.
- relief: the structure is that of a plateau (100-200 m in height), belonging to the Sothern Dobrudja Plateau and to the Central Dobrudja Plateau (the Casimcea Plateau), decreasing from south to north, towards the Carasu Valley and from the Danube to the Black Sea's shore;
- climate: it is continental with excessive influences-very hot and dry summers, cold winters, north-eastern strong winds, the rainfalls are rare and not uniformly distributed;
- watercourses: with short rivers which get drained during the hot season, the most important ones are located in the north: Casimcea, Carasul, or short hydrographic networks flowing towards the Danube (Topolog), or towards the lakes along the Black Sea's shore (Casimcea). On the Carasu valley, the Danube-Black Sea Chanell was dug over a distance of pe 64, 2 km.
TOURISTIC SIGHTS
ROMANIAN SEASIDE
- Black Sea's beach, "a promise land", stretches in Constanta county on a surface of more than 100 km (out of a total of 244 km representing the Romanian border with the Black Sea). The wonderful Romanian seacoast benefits of the special charm given by the Black Sea (the third European sea in terms of surface, and the second one in what concerns the depth, with reduced salinity-17-18% at the shore and the water temperature of 20-250C). There are no streams, dangerous plants or animals in the Black Sea's waters. The sea platform decreases smoothly from the coast (on a strip of 100-200 m) towards the open sea (the water is not very deep, 1-2m), thus eliminating all the risk factors. The climate is mild, summer days are long and warm, sun shines in July 10-12 hours a day, and the average temperature is of 240C, and 110C (the annual average temperature). During the hot season the temperature on the beach goes up to 450C, but the sea breezes rich in aerosols diminuish the scorching heat. The seacoast is covered with very fine sand. Many romantics like to admire the beautiful sunlights.
From Mamaia till Mangalia, only one city seems to be stretching, a complex resort. Along the seaside one can choose a resort according to his wishes: Navodari, Mamaia, Constanta, Eforie Nord, Eforie Sud, Costinesti, Techirghiol, Olimp, Neptun, Jupiter, Cap Aurora, Venus, Saturn, Mangalia, 2 Mai. Constanta is the first in Romania in what regards the accommodation facilities, more than 150.000 rooms (about 45% of the total number in Romania). The county also concentrates about 60% of the international touristic rush in the country. The secific feature of this pictoresque universe is given by various factors (a very pleasant environment, the elegance of the hotels, many possibilities for spending the time, natural healing factors). This region is a real oasis of relaxation and health.
LAKES
- Techirghiol it is the richest lake with therapeutic mud in Romania (the mud is composed of organical elements mixed with mineral substances and represents the main element used in the treatment of various disease, making the spa a very demanded one. Techirghiol is also the greatest salt lake in our country (11,7 square km). This river-sea lake (once a sea-gulf) is nowadays a faunistic preserve (more than 124 species of birds live here, many of them rare ones). The lake is also a leisure centre, offering boats and motor boats;
- Bugeac-river liman, important fishing centre on the right bank of the Danube;
- Oltina-river liman, important fishing centre on the right bank of the Danube;
- Corbu-sea-river liman, nautical sports can be practised, very important due to its therapeutic mud;
- Tascau-sea-river liman, nautical sports can be practised, very important due to its therapeutic mud;
- Tatlageac-sea-river liman, nautical sports can be practised, very important due to its therapeutic mud;
- Sinoe-sea lagoon, former sea gulfs, today important for fishing;
- Siutghiol-sea lagoon, former sea gulfs, today important for fishing.
CAVES
The Caves of Gura Dobrogei complex preserve
(spelaeological, paleontological, geological, faunistic) situated near the villages of Limanu and Targusor, made up of three caves (Limanu, Liliecilor and La Adam, famous due to its Quaternary fauna) hosting colonies of bats.
PRESERVES AND MONUMENTS OF NATURE
Seacost Dunes Agigea, (8 km south of Constan?tural preserves of sea dunes represented by a plateau of 8-10 m formed by the continuous deposition of sand. Floristic preserve hosting about 120 species of plants peculiar to the Romanian Black Sea coast;
Harsova Channels-geological and palaeontological preserve, a huge snake from the family of pythons lives here;
Canaraua Fetii-(south of the Oltina lake), faunistic preserve;
The Hagieni Forest forest preserve between Hagieni and Albesti, it is famous due to its beautiful landscape and to the flora and fauna curiosities ? the huge turtle, many species of spiders. It is an attraction point for visitors;
Fantanele-Murfatlar ? floristic preserve (1 km south of the Murfatlar vineyard), near Basarabi.
RESORTS AND SPAS
Costinesti-(28 km south of Constanta), summer resort (at an altitude of 2-4 m),
it is also called Youth Resort. The long beach with fine sand is oriented eastwards, having sun all day long (few beaches in Europe benefits this privilege). This beautiful resort is arranged for thalassotherapy and heliotherapy (sun shines 10-12 hours a day). The youthful atmosphere is completed by the cultural-artistic events organized here, by the modern facilities and by the vivid broadcasts of Radio Holidays. Access: by train-Costinesti railway station, on the Bucharest-Constanta-Mangalia line, by road DN 39 from Constanta with deviation on a local road, after Tuzla;
Eforie Nord-(14 km south of Constanta), permanent spa (at an altitude of 6-20 m) situated on the stripe of land between the Techirghiol lake and the Black Sea. The spa started its activity in 1894, when the Bucharest Eforia of Civil Hospitals built here a sanatorium. The second spa of the Romanian coast (in terms of size), Eforie Nord is famous in the entire Europa due to the treatments based on natural factors existing here. The two permanent treatment bases have facilities for hot baths (with concentrated salt water from the Techirghiol lake or from the sea); devices for treatments with warm mud, devices for ginecological treatment, rooms for Gerovital, Boicil si Pell-Amar treatments. The charm of the great natural park inside which the spa is situated, the beautiful beach (3 km in length and reaching 100 m in width), the sport arenas, the pools, the facilities for nautical activities, all give the spa an original atmosphere. Access: by train-the Eforie Nord railway station, on the Bucharest-Constan?alia line, by road-DN 39-E 87 from Mangalia or Constanta-Vadu Oii, DN 3 from Calarasi, by plain-the international airport Mihail Kogalniceanu, by sea;
Eforie Sud-(18 km south of Constanta), spa with a wonderful seaside riviera descending in steps towards the beach, 2 km in length. Former Carmen Sylva spa, it once had the first watering and climatic place in Dobrudja (1892), and in 1930 it became the most important touristic resort of the Romanian shore. The annual average temperature is of 11,2o C, the average temperature in July is higher than 22oC. The gentle sea and land breezes are felt here. We also find here children sanatorium for rheumatology (permanent operation) and another one for debility and rickety (only during the summer). The sea wall (25-35 m in height offering a wonderful landscape), the discos, the theatre in open air are attractions of this spa and resort. Access: by train-Eforie Sud railway station on the Bucharest-Constanta-Mangalia line;
Jupiter-Cap Aurora-(40 km away from Constanta and 4 km away from Mangalia), summer spas situated, basically, between the Comorova forest and the sea shore. The beach of the Jupiter resort stretches on 1 km near a picturesque gulf. Cap Aurora, the youngest resort of the Romanian shore attracts many tourists with the beauty of its landscape and hotels, named after precious stones. The boats on the Tismana lake, the sport arenas, the theatre and the cinema in open air, the pools, the discos, contribute to an unforgetable holiday. Access: by train-Mangalia railway station on Bucharest-Constanta-Mangalia line, then by bus up to the resort;
Mamaia-(3 km north of Constanta), the biggest resort in Romania (at an altitude of 6-8 m, also called ?the Black Sea's Pearl) stretches on a strip of land bathed by the sea waves in the east, and by the sweet waters of the Siutghiol lake in the west. The first facility dates from 1906-1919, nowadays ranges among the most beautiful sea resorts in Europe. Due to its excellent location, the resort receives permanently night and day breezes, blowing either from the sea or the lake. In full season, the sun shines for 10-12 every day. The beach of the resort, which could compete with the famous beaches from Cannes or Saint Tropez on the Cote d'Azur, has a very fine sand, on a length of 8 km and a width of 100-200 m. This outstanding beach is scattered with elegant hotels, sport grounds, open air pools, discos, parks, summer theatre. One can practise water sports or learn yachting or swimming, also the fishing is permitted on the Mamaia lake. Thousands of tourists from all over the world come every summer to this beautiful resort, full of sun and gentle perfume of flowers, caressed by a charming atmosphere. Access: by road E 60: Oradea-Constanta-Mamaia, E 87 Mangalia-Constantia, by train Constanta railway station, than by trolley sus or by tram up to, by air-international airport Mihail Kogalniceanu, then by coach;
Mangalia-(44 km away from Constanta), permanent spa, situated at the same latitude with the Mediterranean resorts of Monaco, San Remo and Nice. It is as old as Tomis, the ancient colony was called Callatis (after the Calles river in Asia Menor), founded by the Greeks in the 6th century B.C., it developed in Roman times (2nd-4th centuries A.D.) and later revived by the Genoveses (13th-14th centuries) who called it Pangalia. Mangalia, the southernmost resort on the Black Sea's shore is the only place in Romania where in winter the temperature remains above 00 C.
It has a mild climate, similar to the Mediterranean one, with early springs and late autumns. Mangalia is the unique sea spa with mineral springs (sulphur, mezothermal and radioactive, used since Roman Antiquity). The treatment facilities include medical recovery, devices for warm baths with sulphuretted water and sea water, mud therapy, kineotherapy, hydrotherapy, sauna, medical gyms, geriatrics rooms (Gerovital, Boicil, Pell-Amar treatments). Here one can go riding, or visit the Museum of Archaeology, the Esmahan Sultan Mosque (Moor style, 1590). The vestiges of the Roman-Byzantine Church, 5th-6th centuries, Mercurius Collection (pipes and curiosities). Access: by train-Mangalia railway station, on Bucharest-Constanal line, by road DN 39 from Constanta, bus lines exist between Constanta and Mangalia;
Neptun Olimp-(6 km from Mangalia), resort situated at an altitude of 5-20 m on the sand strip between sea and the Comorova forest, a real oasis of quiteness and freshness, a garden of the Romanian shore litoralului rom⮥sc. This modern touristic complex is defined by quality and elegance in what concerns the villas and hotels as well as its restaurants. Numerous sports can be practised here (horse riding, tennis, boat cruises). There also many cabarets and clubs, parks. Neptun has modern treatment facilities (electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, mud treatments, gyms, sauna, Gerovital and Aslavital treatments, famous Romanian therapeutic products preventing premature aging and regenerating the body);
Saturn-(42 km from Constanta and 1 km from Mangalia), summer resort (at an altitude of 3-10 m) 25 sunny days a month. The sea water has, during the summer, an average temperature of 20o-25oC. The possibilities of accommodation, the restaurants, the bars, open air theatre, the sport grounds, the fishing and riding facilities assure very present holydays;
Venus-(5 km from Mangalia), a summer resort situated on a cape formed by a descending slope in a beautiful amphitheatre. The resort, called after the goddess of beauty, has hotels with girl names, built in an original architectural style. As all the others resorts of the Romanian seaside, Venus enjoys the sea breeze, sunshine and fine sand being an attraction point for all the tourists;
Techirghiol-(18 km south of Constanta), permanent spa situated
on the bank of the lake with the same name (at an altitude of 15-20 m), in a valley surrounded by small hills. Winters are mild and summers hot, dominant being the clear ski (sun shines for more than 2.400 hours every year. The main natural therapeutic factors are the salt water and the sapropelic mud of the Techirghiol lake. The spa has five centres of treatment with many facilities (for warm baths in tubs or pools with concentrated salt water from the lake, for warm baths with mud and for hot mud treatments, for aerosols, for hydrotherapy. Access: by train (Constanta and Eforie Nord railway stations, than by bus up to the spa, by road DN 39 from Constanta or Mangalia, with deviation in Eforie Nord).
HISTORICAL VESTIGES
The Histria Fortress-Histria (62 km from Constanta), the oldest Greek settlement on the Romanian territoryit was founded in 657 B.C., by Greek colonists who had come from the city of Milet (Asia Menor). The fortress was for 1.200 years an important harbour and strong economical centre, being protected by the Getae and then by the Romans. Scientist Vasile Parvan, who started the excavations here, discovered so many riches that he called it A Romanian Pompei. The monumental fortress offers visitors hours of delight and meditation. We find here the temple of Aphroditis, that of Zeus, the Roman baths, the forum, the square, the paved street, the water pipes, good reasons to remember the evolution of civilisation on the lands of Pontus Euxinus;
Tomis Fortress-Constanta (first half of the 6th century B.C.), the Greek colonists from Milet founded the harbour-town of Tomis. Many vestiges of the ancient town can be seen today: Butchers Tower rebuilt during the times of Iustinianus, the roman perimeter wall from the 3rd century A.D., large ancient pottery, exhibited in a beautiful archaeological park;
Roman Building with Mosaic-Constanta, unique monument this side of Europe, realised in the 3rd-4th centuries A.D. The mosaic, on the terrace of a Roman trade buiding has an impressive size of 2,000 square m. The harmony of the colours, rendered more delicate by passing of the time, the beauty of the geometric and floral motifs delight the visitors;
Callatis Fortress-Mangalia, colony founded by the Dorians arrived from Pontic Heracleea in the 6th century B.C.; it developed in the 4th-3rd centuries B.C. Vestiges of exceptional scientific and touristic interest were discovered here (a thesaurus, graves, Roman aqueducts). Here it was preserved the oldest document in Latin in the Southeastern Europe (an inscription dated 72 B.C.);
Neolithic Settlement-Cernavoda, settlement of Hamangia type and necropolis where the famous statue of The Thinker was discovered;
Sucidava Fortress-Dunareni, Geto-Dacian settlement, then roman reinforced camp in the 2nd-7th centuries A.D.;
Capidava Fortress Dacian settlement fron the 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D., then Roman camp reinforced by the Emperor Trajan;
Axiopolis Fortress-Cernavoda, ancient fortress founded by the King of Thracia, Lysimachos, 306-281 B.C., then Getae-Dacian, Roman, Byzantine settlement, Axiopolis = dark city, it received in the 19th century the Slavic name of Cernavod㠽 black water;
Carsium Settlement-Harsova, Roman fortress built by Trajan in 103 A.D. in the place of a Getae-Dacian settlement, a Byzantine fortress was built later here, in the 10th-11th centuries;
Altinum Fortress-Oltina, civilian settlement and station of Roman river military fleet, in the 1st-4th centuries A.D.;
Byzantine Fortress-Ostrov, on the P㣵iul lui Soare island, it was a strong naval base known as Vicina, 971-976;
Genovese Lighthouse-Constanta, it was built between 1858-1860 by an English company;
Hunchiar Mosque-Constanta (in Moor style 1867-1868).
RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS
Mosque-Constan?was built in 1910, in Moor style in the place of the old mosque from 1822. It is an exact copy of the grat Konia mosque from Anatolia (Turkey). It has beautiful inner wall paintings. The minaretul (50 m in height) offers a wonderful landscape of the town and harbour;
Orthodox Cathedral-Constanta, it was built between 1883-1895, in the style of the old Wallachian architecture, with inner wall paintings made by D. Mircea;
Metamorfosis Greek Church-Constanta (1865-1867);
Esmahan Sultan Mosque-Mangalia (1590), in Moor style;
Dervent Monastery-(on DN 3, between the branch of Ostrov and the Buceg lake), historical monument, wonder spring;
Monastery-Basarabi (9th-10th centuries), monk site in a cave, unique for Romanian ancient culture;
Saint George Orthodox Church-Constan 5-1911), with wall paintings made by Nicolae Tonitza.
CULTURAL BUILDINGS
Museum of National History and Archaeology-Constanta, one of the richest museums in the country, with collections of prehistorical, Greek, Roman, Bizantine, Medieval archaeology. Among the statues exhibited here, the most famous are that of Fortuna Goddess and Pontos God (protectors of the town), the Glycon snake;
Museum Complex of Natural Sciences-Constanth the Aquarium, Delphinarium, Planetarium and Astronomic Observatory. The aquarium exhibits more than 100 species of fish of the Black Sea and of other seas of the world;
Art Museum-Constanta, with valuable works (painting, sculpture and graphics) belonging to famous artists: Nicolae Grigorescu, Theodor Aman, Ion Andreescu, Theodor Pallady, Corneliu Baba, Dimitrie Paciurea, Ion culescu, Ion Jalea, Vida Gheza;
Museum of the Sea-Constanta, with a rich collection of sea fauna from the world oceans;
Museum of Folk Art-Constanta, Dobrudja ethnographical collection, folk art, pottery, texture, rugs;
Navy Museum history of the Romanian Navy and commercial fleet.
MONUMENTS AND STATUES
Tropaeum Traiani Triumphal Monument-Adamclisi (64 km from Constantique building in the Roman provinces, in terms of size and decorations. It was built in 106-109 A.D., in honour of the victory of Emperor Trajan on Dacians, in 102 A.D. Of a great value are the metropoles presenting scenes from the battles between Dacians and Romans, being a real document of Dacian-Roman history;
Ovidiu's Statue-Constanta, the Latin poet Publius Ovidiu Naso was born in 43 B.C. and exiled in Tomis in 8 A.D., where he died after 9 years. It was here that he wrote his Sad poems and the Pontics, although he acknowledged the help and admiration given to him by the natives. The statue was made by the sculptor Ettore Ferrari (1887);
Eminescu's Statue-Constanta, it was made by the sculptor Oscar Han in 1930 and placed on the sea shore, as the poet wished in his famous poem I Have an Only Wish, Paul Anghel said about it: his face, looking serene over the blue infinity meeting the sky, seems to be the vary face of longing.
Source: Romanian Travel Guide / Publirom
Dobrogea
