What Constanta is known for

The city of Constanta serves as one of the touristic destinations, featuring an array of archaeological sites with monuments and ruins. Among its highlights is the grand Constanta Casino, an art nouveau structure perched on a cliff overlooking the Black Sea. Other notable sites in the Constanta Old Town include Ovid Square, named after the Roman poet Ovid, who was exiled to Tomis (modern-day Constanta) in 8 AD. Another attraction is the Roman Edifice, which is part of the National History & Archaeology Museum. The Roman Edifice showcases preserved colorful mosaics from the Roman era, while Genoese Lighthouse, built in 1860, honors the Genoese merchants who once inhabited Constanta. Some of the religious landmarks are St. Peter & Paul Orthodox Cathedral and the Great Mahmudiye Mosque, combining Byzantine, Romanian, and Moorish architectural elements. Constanta's historical monuments, diverse culture, and proximity to beaches and resorts on the Black Sea make it a destination that caters to tourists, as visitors may find open-air restaurants, nightclubs, and cabarets. Additionally, there are several museums to choose from when visiting Constanta, such as the Constanta Art Museum, Constanta Folk Art Museum, and National History and Archeology Museum, to name a few.[4]

Histria, also known as Istros in Ancient Greek, was an ancient Greek colony located near the Danube River's mouth on the western shore of the Black Sea—the area that is presently part of Constanta County. Founded by Milesian settlers in the 7th century BC, the city holds the distinction of being the first urban settlement on what is now Romanian territory. From the 1st to the 3rd centuries AD, Histria came under Roman rule. However, the city faced invasions during the 7th century AD that left it vulnerable and ultimately led to Histria's abandonment. Archaeological excavations in the area of Histria began in 1914 and continued through the years, shedding light on Histria's historical layers with a focus on the Archaic and Classical periods. The excavations are now displayed at the Histria Museum.[7]

For outdoor enthusiasts, Constanta City boasts a 50-kilometer coastline, home to free city-owned public beaches adorned with shops, cafes, and hotels. Water and sports equipment rentals, along with various beachside attractions, are available as well. The beach season typically lasts from late spring to late September, with moderate weather conditions in July and August, while early September offers comparatively warmer seas without the more extreme temperatures.[8] Furthermore, in the county's capital city, people can visit the Constanta Dolphinarium, which opened its doors on June 1, 1972. It was a pioneering institution as it was the first museum of its kind in Romania and the first one in southeast Europe. The dolphinarium features dolphin demonstrations in an amphitheater with a swimming pool and a covered pool. Within the Black Sea, three subspecies of dolphins are found: porpoises, common dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins. Over the years, the Constanta Dolphinarium has housed all three Black Sea dolphin species in its pools.[9]

Geography

Constanta County, situated in southeastern Romania, is the country's eighth-largest region. It shares borders with Tulcea County to the north and Bulgaria to the south, while the Black Sea represents its natural boundaries to the east and the Danube River to the west. A low-lying Dobroudja Plateau primarily characterizes the county's topography. Some of the natural features within Constanta County include meadow lakes, marine refuges, and lagoons such as Oltina, Sinoe, Tasaul, Techirghiol, and Mangalia. Chernozem soils, typical of the Dobroudja steppe, dominate the region, with limited forested areas. Notable natural resources encompass phosphate rocks, iron ore, mineral waters, and various rock types. Additionally, Techirghiol Salt Lake and Nuntasi Lake contain deposits of sapropelic mud known for their therapeutic effects. Furthermore, the Black Sea's continental platform houses significant hydrocarbon and mineral deposits.[1]

One of the natural sites that features a variety of species is the aforementioned Lake Techirghiol, which is a protected area found in the eastern part of the county in close proximity to the Black Sea. Two dams built in the 1980s divided the lake into three parts. The east part remains salty, the area between the dams is brackish, and the western end contains freshwater. These diverse conditions have led to a relatively ideal ecosystem for various plant and animal species. Notable flora include Suaeda Maritima and Puccinellia Distans. As for the fauna, the Danube Crested Newt Triturus Dobrogicus, the Fire-bellied Toad Bombina, and several threatened bat species can be found at the lake. Lake Techirghiol also serves as a roosting site for waterfowl, particularly geese and ducks, while the reed beds along its shores provide generally suitable breeding grounds for several bird species. Furthermore, the lake's marine salt characteristics support Artemia Salina, a crustacean that produces biogenic silt called sapropel, which is used for medical therapeutic purposes.[5]

Regarding climate, Constanta County is located in the temperate-continental climate area.[1] The warmest month in Constanta tends to be August, with an average daily temperature of 29°C. January is most commonly the coldest month, as temperatures average a high of 6°C. August tends to be the driest month in Constanta because it generally receives 36 millimeters of rainfall on average. The most precipitation falls during September, with an average of about 55 millimeters.[6]

History

The city of Tomis, later renamed Constanta, has a considerable historical background. Founded by Queen Tomyris, it became a Roman settlement in 29 BC and was the exile location for the poet Ovid in AD 8. After various changes in rulership, it was eventually ceded to Romania after the War of Independence in 1878, becoming a seaport for Romanian exports. The city's significance grew in the interwar years. However, World War II brought damage, particularly to the city port.[2] In contemporary times, Constanta stands as one of Romania's urban centers. Its archaeological and architectural heritage of the Old Town is one of the reasons people tend to visit the city.[4]

The history of Constanta County as a whole can be traced back to ancient times, featuring Greek colonies, such as Histria, Callatis, and Tomis, dating back to the 7th century BC. Later, Romans occupied the area since the 1st century BC, when the times were marked by migrations and conflicts. Concerning the origins of the name, the term "Dobroudja" reportedly comes from the Byzantine ruler Dobrotici in the 14th century, while "Constanta" likely stems from "Constantziana" in the 4th century. Following the valor of the Romanian army in the 1877-1878 war, Romania gained independence, and Dobroudja was integrated, later leading to Romania's unification.[1] After the administrative reform of 1926, the county's boundaries matched those of the present-day Constanta County. The exceptions are Ostrov and Lipnița communes, which were under Durostor County, Baia commune now in Tulcea County, and villages such as Tereskondu, Pârâul Caprei, Fundeni, Pădureni, Saldu Alde, and Enigea-Haidar, which are now located in Bulgaria.[3]