Destination Guide - Regions            Dobrogea

Dobrogea, the territory between the Danube and the Black Sea, was inhabited from the ancient times by the Getaes and the Scythians. In the north, this country is bounded by the Dobrogea's massif (The Macin Mountains – from the Haercynic Age) surrounded by large-waved tablelands (Tulcea; Babadag and Casimcea tablelands) divided by some depressions.
The country is surrounded also by the Danube Delta (in the northeast) and by a superficially dissected tableland (in the south). The climate is continental arid excepting the sea-shore. In the east Dobrogea is bounded by a series of bathing resorts (Costinesti, Mamaia, Saturn, Venus, Aurora, Jupiter, Neptun, Olimp) with wide beaches, salty sand and water. On the seaside, there are also some health resorts (Mangalia, Eforie Sud, Techirghiol, Eforie Nord), along of 24 km.
On Dobrogea's territory there are many archeological monuments which are very important for the history of the Romanian people (the Tomis, Callatis and Histria fortresses from the 17th century B.C. and also those of Enisala and Mahmudia; the complex of Adamclisi - Trophaeum Traiani), natural reservation: forests, sand hills and spaeleological (Gura Dobrogei, La Adam and Limanu caves with prehistorical relics) and some well-Known vineyards (Murfatlar, Niculitel, Sarichioi). A special touristic zone of Dobrogea, having the second size in Europa (3446 km2) is the Danube Delta, a reservation of the biosphere with millions of birds from different places of Earth (the polar zone, the South of Africa, Asia, West Europe and the Mediterranean seaside) which periodically stop here in transit.
The Letea sand bank, the reservations and the colonies of birds at Perisor-Zatoane, Uzlina-Crisan, Golovita and Sacalin Islands (named also "the birds' paradise") are also natural reservations and places which should not be avoided by tourists.
The Danube Delta is Europe's largest wetlands reserve, covering 2681 square kilometers (1676 square miles), with a sprawling, watery wilderness that stretches from the Ulkrainian border to a series of lakes north of the Black Sea resorts. It is Europe's youngest land-more than 43,7 square meters (47 square yards) are added each year by normal silting action. As it approaches its delta, the great Danube divides into three channels. The northern arm forms the border with Ukraine, the middle arm leads to the busy port of Sulina, and the southern arm meanders gently toward the little port of Sfantu Gheorghe. From these channels, countless canals widen into treefringed lakes, reed islands, and pools covered with water lilies; there are sand dunes and pockets of lush forest.
An exotic landscape with over 1,200 species of trees and plants, with the richest ornithological fauna on the continent (more than 300 species, among which unique colonies of pelicans) and ichthyological fauna (with around 100 species, from the Danube herrings to the sturgeons which produce the precious caviar).
More than 80% of the delta area is water. Over 300 bird species visit the area, 70 of them from as far away as China and India. The delta is a natural stopover for migratory birds, but the most characteristic bird is the common pelican, the featured star of this bird-watchers' paradise. Fishing provides most of the area's inhabitants, many of whom are of Ukrainian origin. One of the most common sights is a long line of fishing boats strung together to be towed by motorboat to remote fishing grounds. Smaller communities, such as Independenta on the southern arm and Crisan on the middle arm, rent out the services of a fisherman and his boat to foreigners. The waters here are particularly rich in catfish, perch, carp, and daviar- bearing sturgeon.
Tourism, which boasts original attractions specific to the season, is greatly favoured by the picturesque landscape. In 1990 UNESCO included the Danube Delta, Romania’s youngest form of relief, threatened by "the progress of industrialisation", among the biosphere reserves.
The Black Sea seaside offers numerous possibilities to practice summer sports: fields for tennis, basketball, mini-golf and pools, both in free air and covered. The Siutghiol Lake from Mamaia is ideal for the lovers of aquatic sports: yachting, surfing, aquatic ski. Diving, jet ski and entertainment trips can also be practised.
Entertainment: bowling alleys, pool and electronic games.

Climate: seaside, characterised by a high degree of stability of the atmosphere.
The annual average temperature is 11,20C, in July 220C, and in January over 00C.
Rains are in reduced quantities, and so is the atmospheric nebulosity.
The dominant winds come from the NE, and the marine breeze cools the summer air.
The therapeutic natural factors are optimal for rest during the year.
The beach: oriented towards East, sunny almost all day. The fine sand rising during the summer to 450C is ideal for air therapy and sand baths.
Vegetation and flora: plant species which adapted to the climate conditions of reduced humidity. Mediterranean and Balkan flora: bushes, small almond trees together with small carnations, bellflowers etc.

Natural reservations:
1. The Cheia Mountains – on the left shore of the Casimcea Valley – hosts around 565 rare flora species
2. The Agigea Dunes – Agigea commune (50 km from the seaside) – 120 plant species
3. The Techirghiol Lake – the largest salted lake in Romania (area: 10.7 square kilometters) – populated with a micro-fauna adapted to the salted environment made up of: bacteria, green algae, crabs etc
4. The Topalu Reef – between Cernavoda and Hirsova – with an area of 8 ha. It includes a limestone complex of Jurassic age, the fauna of which includes corrals, worms, limestone sponges.
5. The Gura Dobrogei Caves: near Limanu commune – includes the caves Limanu, Liliecilor (Bats’), La Adam (Adam’s). The Liliecilor Cave is 480 metters long; over 20 fossil species were discovered here.


Main cities:

Constanta: historic city with old traditions, filled with art and history museums.
Attractions:
Geamia Hunchiar, built in Moor style, respects the traditional form of the Muslin cult.
The Casino, built between 1904 – 1909, designed in rococo style with various decorative elements and situated on the cliff, is one of the most special constructions of Constanta.
Ovidiu’s Statue – Ovidiu’s Square
In front of the National History and Archaeology Museum, in the square bearing the same name, there is the statue of the Latin poet Publius Ovidius Naso. Made in bronze by the Italian sculptor Ettore Ferrari in 1887, the statue moulded in bronze is 2.60 m high. A contemporary of Vergilius, Ovidius lived in exile in Tomis and created during the last years of his life “Tristele / The Sad Poems” and “Letters from Pont”.
Moscheea (The Mosque) (1822) – Built on the spot of an old geamia named Mahmudia in the honour of sultan Mahmud the Second, the mosque is the main building of the Muslin cult in Constanta. It was built by the Romanian state in 1910, a copy of the mosque in Konieh (Anatolia). The altar is made in Moor style, and there are two Arabian inscriptions over the main gate.
Farul (The Lighthouse) (1858 - 1860) functioned until 1913. It was built by an English company which also arranged the port.
The Archaeology Museum – includes collections of objects belonging to the pre-historic periods and to the Hamangia culture.
The Art Museum – owns collections of Romanian and universal plastic art.
Delfinariul (The Dolphin Pool) – shows of dolphin training, aquariums of fauna and flora species from the Black Sea

Mamaia: situated at 5 km from Constanta, earned through time the surname of “Black Sea’s Pearl”, because of the fine sand on the beach. The resort has 27,000 accommodation places in 61 hotels from 1 to 3 stars, restaurants, night clubs, discotheques, terraces arranged in a modern way.
Tulcea: 277 km (172 miles) northeast of Bucharest. The main town of the Danube Delta, Tulcea is the gateway to the splendors of the region. Built on seven hills and influenced by Turkish styles, this former market town is now an important sea and river port, as well as the center of the Romanian fish industry. The Danube Delta Museum provides a good introduction to the flora, fauna, and way of life of the communities in the area.
Mangalia: historic city very close to the border with Bulgaria, only 8 km from this country. Formerly known as Callatis, it is today an important touristic centre, which is visited for its history and beauty. With its 282 accommodation places, the Mangalia hotel rests open for the whole year.
Attractions: The Turk Mosque, The Archaeology Museum, together with the antic ruins of the Callatis fortress. Nearby the city of Mangalia there is a farm where Arabian genuine stallions are raised. The city also offers numerous recreation and entertainment possibilities (discotheques, cinema theatres, libraries, sports fields, bowling alley, ship journeys).

Other places of interest:
Murfatlar Vineyard: The region of Murfatlar vineyards, known for the sorts of grapevine that make the famous vine bearing the same name.

Adamclisi: The Antique Roman monument Trapaeum Traiani and the vestiges of the fortress Trapaeum Traiani are placed in the commune Adamclisi from Dobrogea. The impressive monument, of circular shape, was built from the order of emperor Traian in the year 109. It had seven rows of rock stairs all around, and a pedestal rises above where there is the statue of a soldier in armour. The monument did not resist throughout the centuries, except to the central part, like a huge ground pile.
Nearby the monument there are: the mausoleum of a Roman officer dead in the fight, and not far away from this, the altar built from Traian’s order in the memory of the soldiers who gave their lives in the hard battles. The ruins of the fortress Trapaeum Traiani, one of the biggest Roman civil dwellings in Dobrogea, can be spotted on a nearby hill.

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