Constanta, places to visit?

La città con il più grande porto della Romania

Constanța, one of the largest cities in Romania, is situated on the western shore of the Black Sea and is the largest port in Romania and one of largest in Europe.

This city combines a harmonious blend of heritage of the past, legacy of the Greeks and Romans, and modern amenities. The history of Constanța began in the 7^th century BC, when it was known as Tomis and was the oldest city in the Romanian territory. After its decline and complete destruction, as a result of attacks by various populations, including the Avars, the importance of the city of Tomis was confirmed after it became part of the Roman Empire, in particular during the reign of Constantine the Great, from whom the current name of the city is derived. After the rule of the Turks and following several centuries, the period of renewal of Constanța arrived only at the end of the 19^th century, when the lands of Dobrogea were annexed to those of Romania.

In addition to Romanians, the populations of Constanța include Turks, Tartars, Lipovans, Greeks and other minorities. The variety of architectural styles in the city, due precisely to long-running cohabitation with these minorities, makes Constanța one of the most interesting cities in Romania.

Ovidiu Square

Historical buildings can be admired in Ovidiu Square, including the National History and Archaeology Museum and a statue of the Roman poet Ovid, who was exiled in Tomis by the Emperor Augustus. The statue was realised by the Italian sculptor Ettore Ferrari and given to the Municipality of Constanța by the Municipality of Sulmona (city of the poet).

Ovidiu Square is also site of a Roman building with mosaic and, near the square, is the Ethnography Museum.

The Orthodox Cathedral

Well worth visiting is the Orthodox Cathedral, dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, built between 1884 and 1895. Nearby archaeological remains of ancient Tomis have been found.

Instead, at the Archaeological Park, remains have been found of the passing of the Romans, including a wall several dozens of metres long.

The museums

Lovers of modern sculpture can instead visit the Ion Jalea Museum which preserves the sculptures of the artist Ion Jalea, one of Romania’s greatest contemporary sculptors. The Art Museum displays the paintings of Romania’s most important artists who were active between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. For enthusiasts of marine history, the Romanian Maritime Museum offers interesting records from ancient times to the present day, and materials and instruments from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

The tourist port

At the Tourist Port, the marina of Constanța, visitors can stop to enjoy a drink at one of the bars, enjoying a wonderful view of the old town. A visit to the city can then continue towards the Casino, located near to the port, which is home to the aquarium and finally, on the eastern shore of Lake Tabacariei, to the dolphinarium.

The Casinò

Don’t miss a trip to Mamaia, to the north of Constanța, the largest bathing resort in Romania, which features long beaches that alternate along the coast of the Romanian Black Sea.

Ciorba de burta

La cucina rumena

Influenzata dalle tradizioni culinaree della popolazioni (i daci, i romani, l'impero ottomano e quello austro-ungarico) con cui è antrata in contatto, la cucina rumena di oggi è il rusultato di tutte queste contaminazioni gastronomiche.

I piatti da degustare sono: la marmalinga (polenta di mais) Ciorba de burta (zuppa di trippa) e la torchitura (spezzatino di maiale servito con del formaggio di pecora, le uova e polenta), la musaca (carne di maiale tritata e speziata con molto molto aglio e peperoncino)

Where to sleep in Costanta

Costanza is a welcoming city and offers different possibilities for accommodation.

To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.

STARS

Hotels for stars, differentiated by type of services:

DISTRICTS

Hotels in the districts

Yachting Club and Marina

Tom Shopping Center

Ovidius University New Campus

LANDMARKS

Hotels in tourist areas

Expoflora Botanical Garden

Museum History and Archeology

Roman Mosaics

AIRPORT

Hotels near the airport

Costanta Airport CND

Video: www.romania.travel

Published on Avion Tourism N55 - Aggiornamento giugno 2018

Tourism Board

www.romania.travel

WHERE TO GO

Monuments and Museums

CASINO

The symbolic image of Constanţa is the white silhouette of the Casino over the blue of the sea. Placed on the promenade, the imposing Art Nouveau building was designed by a French architect and opened in 1910, in the presence of Prince Ferdinand, the future king of Romania. Shortly after, the casino became one of the most visited in Europe and attracted people passionate about gambling all over the world. During the war, the casino became the target of bombardments, but it suffered only little damages. It was transformed into a campaign hospital during the war period, but afterwards it turned back to its activity.

ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUM

At the end of the 19th century, the town extension works led to the discovery of significant archaeological remains from the time of ancient Tomis. To keep them within the national patrimony, the authorities of that time founded the Museum of National History and Archaeology in Constanţa, an institution hosting over 430,000 exhibits, among which a very valuable collection of coins. An impressive 4th century Roman mosaic is also on display. The three terraces of the edifice connected the town and the ancient port, and important part of the original polychrome mosaic can also be seen nowadays.

Excursions

DOLPHINARIUM

The Natural Sciences Complex in the northern part of the city near Mamaia includes a Dolphinarium where dolphins and sea lions are trained, a planetarium, and observatory and a mini-zoo. Spectacular trainings of dolphins and sea lions, exotic birds, a planetarium, an astronomic observer and a mini-zoo - all these are part of the Natural Sciences Museum Complex, situated in the Northern part of the city, close to Mamaia resort. The Dolphinarium was inaugurated in 1972 and it is the first one in the South-Eastern Europe. The two - covered and open-air pools were recently upgraded modernized in the last years, and three dolphins were brought here from China in 2010. The Complex also includes a public Aquarium (inaugurated in 1958), situated on the promenade, close to the Casino. Visitors can see over 120 species of aquatic creatures in its 57 display water tanks.

AQUA MAGIC

An aquatic entertainment complex is placed at the entrance of Mamaia resort. Both the mood for adventure and the desire for relaxation are catered for at Aqua Magic, the biggest aquatic park in Romania. You can get tanned sitting on a chaise-longue and drinking a cocktail or you can float on a swim belt carried by the lazy artificial river, but if you are looking for hard sensations, there are tortuous toboggans you pass through at full speed. Two of the 14 park attractions are exclusively intended for children. The pools, waterfalls and basins totalize an active water surface equal to that of a football field.

PORT

The history of Constanţa, can be traced back to the Ancient times, and is closely linked to the activity of the Port. The large port of Constanţa is situated at the crossing of important commercial roads and is one of the key distribution centres serving Central and Eastern Europe. There is also a popular yachting Marina below the old town.