ROMANIA : CONSTANTA
The seaside resort and harbour of Constanta
is situated on the Black Sea and is the capital of Constanta County in
Romania. Nearby the city are several mineral springs, and the
sea-bathing also attracts many visitors in summer. The chief local
industries are tanning and the manufacture of petroleum drums.
2500 years ago, as part of Greek colonization in Pontus Euxinus (Black
Sea), a settlement (where now Constanta is situated) was founded under
the name “Tomis”. Tomis sees great prosperity due to the commercial
exchange proceeded between Greek colonists and the native Gaeto-Dacians.
During the 6th and even at the beginning of the 7th century, Tomis was
violently attacked by the Slavs and the Avars. In the 9th century the
region is reorganized by the Byzantine Empire Constanta is the
Constantiana which was founded in honour of Constantia, sister of
Constantine the Great (274-337). The earliest known usage of this name
was “Constantia" in 950. It lies at the seaward end of the Great Wall of
Trajan, and has evidently been surrounded by fortifications of its own.
In spite of damage done by railway contractors there are considerable
remains of ancient masonry walls, pillars, etc. An impressive public
building, thought to have originally been a port building, has been
excavated, and contains the substantial remains of one of the longest
mosaic pavements in the world.
Of the Roman town of Tomis there are only a part of the wall of the town
and the Butchers Tower (the VI-th century). In an open-air exhibition in
the Victory Park there are some columns and amphora's too. Other ruins
are in Histria, along the seashore, and in Adamclisi.The Ottoman
domination is marked in Constanta by the Mahmud II's Mosque and the
Genovese lighthouse from the XIII-th century is still working nearby the
pleasure port. It is pleasant to walk along the seashore or to spend the
time at the Casino built in Rococo style. Just in front of the Casino
there is the Aquarium which exhibits flora and fauna of the Black Sea.
In Constanta there are also a Dolphinarium with daily shows and a
Planetarium.
The harbour, protected by breakwaters, with a lighthouse at the
entrance, is well defended from the North winds, but those from the
South, South-East, and South-West prove sometimes highly dangerous. The
Black Sea squadron of the Romanian fleet is stationed here. Mamaia is a
beach resort immediately to the north. A large canal connects the Black
Sea, at Constanta to the Danube River.
